Kathmandu, Oct 26: The third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) begins Monday at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, with a bigger prize pool, rising commercial returns and the introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS) for the first time in Nepal.
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) said all technical and managerial preparations for the tournament had been completed.
The champion will receive Rs 15 million, up from Rs 11 million last season. The runners-up will earn Rs 8 million, while the third and fourth placed teams will take home Rs 4 million and Rs 3 million, respectively.
CAN expects the league to generate more than Rs 1 billion in financial transactions this season. Treasurer Padam Khadka said sponsorships are expected to contribute Rs 300 million, while ticket sales could bring in Rs 700 million, alongside revenue from franchise teams.
The league has recorded steady commercial growth since its launch. CAN earned Rs 276.9 million from the inaugural edition and Rs 473.6 million from the second. Ahead of this season, the association has secured more than Rs 320 million through broadcasting rights alone.
Himalaya Television acquired the television broadcasting rights for Rs 146.4 million, excluding taxes, almost five times the Rs 30 million paid for television rights in the previous edition. Kantipur Television held those rights last season, while Dish Home acquired the over-the-top streaming rights.
For the inaugural edition, Action Sports secured YouTube and television broadcasting rights for Rs 7.5 million and provided coverage free of charge. A subscription-based model was introduced in the second edition.
Franchise earnings have also risen sharply, increasing from Rs 31.6 million in the first edition to Rs 161.87 million in the second.
The NPL has also received recognition from the International Cricket Council as an official T20 league. Players’ performances in the tournament will now count towards official T20 records.
The change comes as the league attracts more international players. In the first edition, franchises were allowed to recruit only one active Test player each. The ICC has since opened up recruitment, allowing teams greater freedom to sign players.
India’s Shikhar Dhawan played for Karnali Yaks in the inaugural edition, while South Africa’s Faf du Plessis represented Biratnagar Kings last season. Australian opener David Warner and West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell are among the prominent international players expected to feature this year.
The introduction of DRS is another major development for the league. CAN Secretary Paras Khadka said the association had previously held back from adopting the technology because of its high cost. It has now introduced the system as part of efforts to bring more advanced technology into Nepali cricket.
The system will provide 3D ball tracking for leg before wicket reviews and support reviews involving run outs, stumpings and no balls. It will also include AI-powered bat edge detection, measurements of wide ball height, six-distance tracking and bowling analytics.
The technology is expected to give players and officials better tools to review decisions while offering spectators a closer look at key moments in matches.
The league has expanded its match day experience with each edition. Organisers introduced stands and floodlights in the second season. This year, spectators will see DRS technology in action alongside the competition’s growing international profile. With higher prize money, bigger broadcasting deals and advanced review technology, the third edition marks another step in the NPL’s development as Nepal’s leading domestic T20 competition.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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