The Nepal Premier League (NPL) also known as Siddhartha Bank NPL due to sponsorship reasons, is a men’s Twenty20 (T20) cricket league held annually in Nepal. Founded by the CAN(Cricket Association of Nepal) in 2024, the league features eight cities-based franchise teams. This season was started from 30 November 2024. (15 Mangsir to 6 Poush 2081 BS). A round-robin format(All- play- All- tournament) is used by the NPL tournament, with the top teams advancing to the playoffs.
Venue : TU International Cricket Ground (Photo Credit : Wikipedia)
In the month of January of 2024, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced the formation of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Nepal Premier League scheduled for November and December on 2nd August 2024. CAN invited proposals for franchise ownership. The official logo of the Nepal Premier League was disclosed on 19th August 2024.
Logo
Nepal’s spirit and heritage is reflected by the Nepal Premier League’s (NPL) logo. The logo combines the iconic Khukuri along with a cricket bat, symbolizing the valor of the Gorkhas and the essence of Nepalese cricket. It also characteristics elements inspired by Nepal’s national symbols : the sun and moon from the flag, which represent the ambition to elevate Nepal cricket globally, and the flowing rivers which echo cricket brings to the nation. The design of logo is inspired by Mount Everest, representing the league’s aspiration to reach new heights in the global cricketing arena.
Player acquisition, Squad composition and salaries
All players acquired by all teams through an auction. Each team having a squad of 16 players, with the opportunity of signing up to four foreign players. Players who are unsold at the auction can become replacement signings.
Other remarkable rules of the 2024 season, include :
- Team can purchase up to 10 players from auction round (3 grade A, 4 grade B, and 3 grade C)
- Base price of Grade A player 10 lakhs NC, upto 15 lakhs NC.
- Base price of Grade B player 5 lakhs NC, upto 10 lakhs NC.
- Base price of Grade C player 2 lakhs NC, upto 5 lakhs NC.
- The highest-bidding franchise purchases players; if two or more bid the maximum amount, then the lottery will decide which team the player will go to
- The salary cap of the auctioned players has been permitted a purse of 90 lakhs NC each.
Highest paid players in Nepal Premier League 2024 Auction
| Player | Team | Salary |
| Aarif Sheikh | Sudurpaschim Royals (SR) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Anil Sah | Janakpur Bolts (JB) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Bhim Sharki | Kathmandu Gurkhas (KG) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Bibek Yadav | Lumbini Lions (LL) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Gulsan Jha | Karnali Yaks (KY) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Lalit Rajbanshi | Janakpur Bolts (JB) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Lokesh Bam | Biratnagar Kings (BK) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Pratis GC | Biratnagar Kings (BK) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Sagar Dhakal | Pokhara Avengers (PA) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Shahab Alam | Kathmandu Gurkhas (KG) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Surya Tamang | Lumbini Lions (LL) | Rs 15 lakhs |
| Total | Rs 180 lakhs | |
| Average salary | Rs 15 lakhs |
Teams
NPL will feature eight teams, each representing major cities across whole Nepal. On 5th September 2024 CAN sold the eight franchise teams for the NPL through a bidding process at NRS 16,88,93,231. Highest price of NPR 3,57,00,000 was paid for team representing Pokhara by Nepal T-Twenty Cricket Pvt. Ltd. while team representing Karnali was bought at lowest bid of NPR 1,11,70,000 by the Himalayan Builders.
