Kathmandu – The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced that preparations for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) have been completed. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Monday, with eight teams competing for the title.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground on Sunday, CAN officials confirmed that preparations for the tournament had been finalised.
According to CAN, the winning team will receive a cash prize of Rs 15 million, while the runners-up will receive Rs 8 million. The team finishing third will be awarded Rs 4 million, and the fourth-placed team will receive Rs 3 million.
CAN Treasurer Padam Khadka said the prize money for the third edition had been significantly increased following consultations with the NPL Governing Council and approval from the CAN president.
Khadka said the tournament had secured approximately Rs 200 million from its title sponsor alone. Including sponsorships, ticket sales and ticketing partners, total business generated by the tournament is expected to reach between Rs 700 million and Rs 750 million.
He further estimated that the overall business volume could reach Rs 1.5 billion during the month-long tournament when spending by team owners is also included.
Meanwhile, CAN Secretary Paras Khadka said the association was continuously coordinating with the respective cricket boards of foreign players regarding the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs). He explained that foreign players must obtain clearance from their national cricket boards in accordance with the applicable regulations.
Paras Khadka also said the league-stage matches are scheduled to conclude on November 15. Following the league stage, players from the four teams that fail to qualify for the next round will be brought together to form a team called ‘Rising Stars.’ The team will participate in One Day International (ODI) practice matches and other cricketing activities, providing players with further opportunities to gain experience.
The third edition of the NPL will feature eight teams and has received recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC). CAN has also announced that the Decision Review System (DRS) will be introduced for the first time in the tournament.
The introduction of DRS is expected to strengthen the decision-review process and bring the competition closer to international cricket standards.
With increased prize money, the participation of international players and the introduction of new technology, CAN expects the third edition of the Nepal Premier League to further expand the tournament’s commercial reach and competitive profile.