KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah arrived at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur to watch the opening match of the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
Security has been tightened at the stadium following the Prime Minister’s arrival. More than 100 plainclothes security personnel have been mobilised for the tournament, which began on Monday. Security command posts have been established in different sectors, with more than 1,200 security personnel set to be deployed throughout the competition.
The third edition of the NPL features eight franchise teams and is expected to generate a financial turnover of Rs. 1.5 billion. The tournament has drawn considerable interest from cricket fans, with internationally renowned players, including Australia’s David Warner, West Indies’ Andre Russell and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, set to participate.
The opening match is being played between defending champions Lumbini Lions and last season’s runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals.