Kathmandu, Nepal: The inaugural edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket tournament is set to feature eight franchise teams. The decision was made during a recent Central Committee meeting of the Nepal Cricket Association (CAN). The tournament is scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from November 30 to December 21.
CAN announced the date and logo for the NPL project ten days ago, but the number of participating teams was not finalized until now. “Initially, we considered six teams, but the central committee meeting decided on eight franchise teams, possibly one team representing each province,” CAN spokesperson Chumbi Lama told the media.
Lama revealed that 16 out of 18 potential franchise teams submitted their forms. He assured that all the participating teams would be finalized within a week. The specific format and details of the NPL are still under discussion, and further announcements are expected soon.
CAN has also announced a financial incentive for the Nepali national cricket team that participated in the ICC Twenty-20 World Cup held in the Americas and the West Indies in June. The players will receive Rs. 150,000 each, while other staff members of the training team will receive Rs. 100,000.
Nepal’s participation in the Twenty-20 World Cup for the second time was marked by challenges, as they faced defeats against the Netherlands, South Africa, and Bangladesh. A match against Sri Lanka was canceled due to rain.
In addition to the NPL announcement, CAN has decided to provide an annual salary of Rs. 15,000 to five players from each of the seven provincial cricket associations, including two women and three men. This initiative will begin on September 1, and CAN will enter into agreements with the players to facilitate the salary payments. A total of 35 players from the seven provinces will be included in this program.
CAN has also formed a national selection committee under the leadership of former Nepali national team captain Lekh Bahadur Chhetri. Unil Shrestha and Murtuza Hawari have been appointed as the other two members of the committee.
