The Much Awaited Nepal Premier League begins today

The long-anticipated Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 cricket tournament starts on Saturday as Biratnagar Kings take on Janakpur Bolts in the season opener at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

At ‘captains’ media day’ in Kirtipur on Friday, the eight teams participating in the first NPL edition—Biratnagar, Chitwan Rhinos, Janakpur, Karnali Yaks, Kathmandu Gurkhas, Lumbini Lions, Pokhara Avengers and Sudurpaschim Royals—introduced their team captains.

Seven teams revealed their marquee players as their captains, but Janakpur chose Anil Sah over their marquee signing Aasif Sheikh.

Sah, who is in good form, teams up well with Aasif for Nepal and stated that he will collaborate with Aasif on team choices.

The identity of the captain is irrelevant. Sah believes he was made captain because he communicates frequently with the local players.

Under the guidance of former Nepal coach Pubudu Dassanayake, Janakpur will take to the field with a boost in confidence after securing the signing of renowned New Zealand player James Neesham for the tournament. Janakpur will also depend on Lalit Rajbanshi’s expertise to lead the spin bowling.

“Janakpur is fully prepared and eager for the NPL,” Sah mentioned.

The leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will captain Biratnagar against Janakpur, with Martin Guptil, the stylish New Zealand player, being their key overseas selection. Oman’s Aqib Ilyas and Canadian Nicholas Kirton are also expected to bring excitement to Janakpur’s campaign.

Our team is filled with enthusiasm for the NPL. Lamichhane, who has featured for T20 teams globally, including Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League in 2018 and 2019, mentioned that the team’s unity is robust.

Lamichhane, the leading wicket taker for Nepal in ODIs and T20Is, expressed optimism that NPL will continue to grow over the next three to four seasons.

“NPL is a realization of my long-held dream of having a franchise league of our own.”

One of the most well-known figures in the NPL is Shikhar Dhawan, a former Indian cricket player, who has made Karnali Yaks the favorites before the tournament. Former national team captain Gyanendra Malla will coach Karnali. The team includes national team regulars Sompal Kami, Gulsan Jha, Dev Khanal, former Hong Kong captain Babar Hayat, and Oman’s Zeeshan Maqsood.

Karnali captain Kami stated that the seasoned international players have helped establish Karnali as a well-rounded team and a strong candidate for winning the trophy.

Kathmandu Gurkhas, led by Karan KC, have successfully recruited Netherlands batsman Michael Levitt and Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus as their key signings. KC is confident that Bhim Sharki and Dipesh Kandel will make significant contributions, combining their youth and experience to become strong competitors.

Our coach Basanta Shahi has made every effort in our training. KC stated that our level of preparation is excellent.

Chitwan Rhinos faced a setback before the tournament when their star player, South African Marchant de Lange, was sidelined due to an injury. Their captain Kushal Malla and Namibian Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton will be heavily depended upon.

Malla stated that we need to improve our performance as the world will be observing us.

Loftie-Eaton set a new men’s cricket record last year by scoring the second fastest T20I hundred, achieving his century in only 33 balls. This surpassed Kushal Malla’s record by one ball, who is currently ranked as the fourth fastest in the list.

Rohit Paudel, captain of the national team, guides the Lumbini Lions, a squad boosted by star players from around the world such as Ben Cutting from Australia, Unmukt Chand from the USA, and Saad Bin Zafar from Canada. Adding Bibek Yadav, Surya Tamang, Arjun Saud, Sundeep Jora and Tilak Bhandari to the team will bring a new level of excitement.

Paudel highlighted the team’s extensive preparation and expressed confidence in the tournament’s potential for success.

Paudel stated that Lumbini is well prepared for the NPL.

“He mentioned that the NPL is expected to be very successful.”

Kushal Bhurtel leads the Pokhara Avengers team, which includes Bas de Leede from the Netherlands, Michael Leask from Scotland, and local players Aakash Chand and Sagar Dhakal.

We practiced in Pokhara. Bhurtel mentioned that the coaching teams from India have been very beneficial to us.

Dipendra Singh Airee, a prominent player from Nepal, will captain Sudurpaschim Royals, with key players such as Aarif Sheikh, Abinash Bohara, Binod Bhandari, UAE’s Rohan Mustafa, and Scottish Brandon Mcmullen.

Airee stated that the practice matches were beneficial for pinpointing our weaknesses.

“We have made good progress in our preparations.”