KATHMANDU, Oct 26: Preparations for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), scheduled to begin Monday at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, have been completed.
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced the completion of all technical and managerial preparations at a press conference.
This edition marks a significant leap in the league’s commercial, technical and sporting aspects. CAN expects the tournament to generate at least Rs 700 million in transactions and around Rs 200 million in net income.
According to CAN Treasurer Padam Khadka, the tournament is expected to generate more than Rs 1 billion in total financial transactions, including Rs 300 million from sponsors, Rs 700 million from ticket sales and contributions from franchise teams.
CAN has significantly increased the prize money this season. The winner’s prize has been raised to Rs 15 million from Rs 11 million in the previous edition.
Similarly, the runner-up will receive Rs 8 million, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will receive Rs 4 million and Rs 3 million, respectively, CAN said.
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Money and life
The NPL’s commercial growth has been rapid. CAN earned Rs 276.9 million from the inaugural edition and Rs 473.6 million from the second edition.
Ahead of the third edition, the association has already secured more than Rs 320 million through broadcasting rights alone.
In the inaugural edition, Action Sports acquired YouTube and television broadcasting rights for Rs 7.5 million and provided free coverage. A subscription model was introduced in the second edition, with DishHome acquiring OTT rights and Kantipur Television securing television rights for Rs 30 million.
For the third edition, Himalaya Television has acquired television broadcasting rights for Rs 146.4 million, excluding taxes—nearly five times the amount paid in the previous edition.
Franchise earnings also increased substantially, rising from Rs 31.6 million in the first edition to Rs 161.8735 million in the second.
Another major achievement this season is the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) recognition of the NPL as an official T20 league. As a result, players’ records in the tournament will be recognised as official international T20 records.
Previously, four teams were allowed to sign only one active Test player each. This season, however, the ICC has opened up recruitment, allowing teams to sign any player.
Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, who represented Karnali Yaks, featured in the inaugural edition, while South Africa’s Faf du Plessis played for Biratnagar Kings in the second edition.
This season, globally renowned players, including Australian opener David Warner and West Indies star Andre Russell, are set to take the field in Nepal.
DRS technology to debut in Nepal
The third edition will also see the introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS) for the first time in Nepal.
CAN Secretary Paras Khadka, who had previously cited the high cost of DRS, said the technology had been introduced this season to make Nepali cricket more technology-friendly.
Spectators will be able to watch full 3D ball tracking for leg-before-wicket reviews, as well as reviews for run-outs, stumpings and no-balls. The system will also feature AI-powered bat-edge detection, measurement of wide-ball height, six-distance tracking and bowling analytics.
Spectators who watched matches from the ground in the inaugural edition were provided with stands and floodlights in the second edition. This season, they will experience world-class technology, including DRS.