Karnali Yaks

Last updated
Karnali Yaks
कर्णाली याक्स
Nickname(s)KY
League Nepal Premier League
Personnel
Captain Sompal Kami
Coach Gyanendra Malla [1]
OwnerHimalayan Builders
Team information
City Birendranagar, Karnali Province
Colors  Blue
  Gold
Founded5 September 2024;11 months ago (5 September 2024)
Home ground Kalinchowk Cricket Ground
Capacity25,000
History
Nepal Premier League  wins0
Official website karnaliyaks.com

Karnali Yaks is a Nepalese professional cricket franchise based in Karnali Province. The team competes in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) and was one of the eight franchise incorporated in 2024. [2] Their home ground is the Kalinchowk Cricket Ground and is owned by Himalayan Builders.

Contents

Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav and local iconic player Bipin Sharma were the standout players of this team. [3] Indian Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan was also the attraction for Karnali Yaks in the first season of NPL. [4]

History

In January 2024, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced that the inaugural season of the Nepal Premier League would take place in November and December 2024. [5] [6] [7] On 2 August 2024, CAN issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for franchise ownership. The Karnali based franchise was sold to Himalayan Builders for NPR 1.11 crore (US$82,000). [8] [9]

2024 season

The Yaks made their debut in the 2024 Nepal Premier League. They had a very competitive debut season, finishing fourth in the league stage with four wins from seven matches.

On 2 December 2024, they played their first ever match in NPL history against Janakpur Bolts and lost by 8 wickets at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. [10] Two days later, they were again defeated to Kathmandu Gurkhas by 3 wickets. [11] The team recorded their first ever win on 6 December 2024, against Chitwan Rhinos in a low scoring thriller. [12] After that, they won back to back matches against Biratnagar Kings by 7 runs [13] and Pokara Avengers by 7 wickets. [14] In this match, Will Bosisto took the franchise's first five wicket haul, guiding the team to their third consecutive victory. [15] Once again, they won nail-biting low-scoring thriller against Lumbini Lions by 5 runs. [16] [17] However, they summed up their league stage in loosing note against Sudurpaschim Royals by 6 wickets. [18] [19]

In Eliminator, they once again won against Chitwan Rhinos by 7 wickets, advancing to Qualifier 2. [20] However, they lost qualifier 2 against Janakpur Bolts by 2 wickets and ended their campaign. [21]

In this season, Will Bosisto became the leading run scorer and local iconic player Bipin Prasad Sharma became the leading wicket taker of the franchise. [22] [23]

Crest and colours

The logo features a stylized yak, symbolizing Karnali region's strength and resilience, with vibrant colors symbolizing community unity and the region's landscapes and the team name rendered below in gold and white. The team's primary colour is blue and gold. [24]

Brand

The Yaks has consistently been named amongst the most valuable sporting franchises in Nepal.

Sponsorship

YearKit manufacturerShirt sponsor (front)Shirt sponsor (back)Chest brandingSleeve branding
2024 Mahindra Himalyan Builders & EngineersTeam11 Nepal, Hilton Kathmandu, Ten Plast

Car manufacturing company, Mahindra became the first shirt sponsor for the team in NPL 2024. [25]

Ownership

When the NPL was launched in 2024, the Karnali franchise was sold to the Himalyan Builders for रू 1.11 crore (US$82,000), making it the cheapest team in the league. [26] [27]

Players

Current squad

Karnali Yaks squad for the 2025 Nepal Premier League [28] [29]
No.NameNationalityBirth dateBatting styleBowling styleYear signedSalaryNotes
1Arjun GhartiFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 21 August 2003 (aged 22)Right-handed2024 रू 10 lakh (US$7,400)
2Bipin Prasad SharmaFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 25 October 2008 (aged 16)Right-handed Slow left-arm orthodox 2024 रू 1 lakh (US$740)Icon Player [a]
3Dipendra RawatFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 9 June 2002 (aged 23)Right-handedRight-arm off break 2024 रू 3 lakh (US$2,200)
4Deepak Prasad DumreFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 22 September 2004 (aged 20)Right-handed2025 रू 2 lakh (US$1,500)
5Imran SheikhFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 22 October 2005 (aged 19)Right-handedRight-arm off break 2025 रू 2 lakh (US$1,500)
6 Gulsan Jha Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 17 February 2006 (aged 19)Left-handedRight-arm medium 2024 रू 15 lakh (US$11,000)
7 Nandan Yadav Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 27 July 2000 (aged 25)Right-handedRight-arm medium 2024 रू 11 lakh (US$8,100)
8 Pawan Sarraf Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 17 December 2000 (aged 24)Right-handedRight-arm off break 2025 रू 15 lakh (US$11,000)
9 Sompal Kami Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 2 February 1996 (aged 29)Right-handedRight-arm medium 2024 रू 20 lakh (US$15,000) Captain
10Yuvraj KhatriFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 30 September 2007 (aged 17)Right-handedRight-arm Leg break 2025 रू 10 lakh (US$7,400)
11Unish Bikram Singh ThakuriFlag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 28 February 2006 (aged 19)Right-handedRight-arm off break 2024 रू 2 lakh (US$1,500)
  1. Players who were signed up through talent hunt as a icon player. As per the NPL player recruitment guidelines, which mandate that teams offer a fixed contract amount of Rs100,000 to their local iconic player. [30]

Administrative and support staff

PositionNameRef
Head coach Gyanendra Malla [31]
PhysioLokendra Kunwar
Video AnalystRabi Thapa

Statistics

By season

YearMatchesWonLostNRGroup StageFinal ResultMost RunsMost Wickets
2024 95404/8Playoffs Will Bosisto (194)Bipin Prasad Sharma (13)
Total954055.55%

Source: ESPNcricinfo [32]

By opposition

OppositionSpanMWLNRWin (%)
Biratnagar Kings 20241100
100
Chitwan Rhinos 20242200
100
Janakpur Bolts 20242020
0
Kathmandu Gurkhas 20241100
100
Lumbini Lions 20241100
100
Pokhara Avengers 20241100
100
Sudurpaschim Royals 20241010
0
Total2024954055.55%

Last updated: 21 December 2024

References

  1. "Gyanendra Malla Appointed as Head Coach of Karnali Yaks". WicketNepal. 2024-10-01. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  2. "CAN announces eight franchises for Nepal Premier League". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  3. "Karnali Yaks secure their first win through Outstanding performances from Bipin Sharma". Onlinekhabar. 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  4. "Shikhar Dhawan joins Karnali Yaks in Nepal Premier League after retierment". The Times of India . 2024-11-14. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  5. "CAN to organise Nepal Premier League in November and December". The Kathmandu Post . Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  6. "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". The Kathmandu Post . Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  7. "Nepal Premier League 2024 start date announced". SportsAdda. 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  8. Staff, cricnepal (2024-09-05). "Franchise auction confirms owners for all eight teams in Nepal Premier League". cricnepal.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  9. "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". The Kathmandu Post . Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  10. "Janakpur Bolts beats Karnali Yaks and secures second consecutive win in NPL". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  11. "Kathmandu Gurkhas beats Karnali Yaks by three wickets". The Himalayan Times . 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  12. "Yaks edge out Rhinos in a low-scoring thriller". Chitwan Rhinos . 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  13. "Karnali Yaks clinch thrilling 7-run victory over Biratnagar Kings". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  14. "Karnali Yaks secure third win in NPL". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  15. "William Bosisto's Sensational 6-Wicket Haul Powers Karnali Yaks to Victory". WicketNepal. 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  16. "JKarnali Yaks beats Lumbini Lions". The Himalayan Times . 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  17. "Karnali Yaks register 5 run win over Lumbini Lions". The Kathmandu Post . 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  18. "Sudurpaschim Royals defeat Karnali Yaks to finalize NPL playoff lineup". The Himalayan Times . 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  19. "Sudurpaschim trounces Karnali by 6 wickets, playoff setup completed". The Rising Nepal . 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  20. "Karnali Yaks defeat Chitwan Rhinos, advance to Qualifier 2". The Himalayan Times . 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  21. "Janakpur Bolts edge Karnali Yaks by 2 wickets to reach NPL final". The Himalayan Times . 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  22. "Most runs in Nepal Premier League, 2024". ESPNcricinfo . 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  23. "Most wickets For Nepal Premier League, 2024". ESPNcricinfo . 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  24. "Karnali yaks official logo for the Nepal Premier League 2024". Karnali Yaks . 2024-11-01. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  25. "Karnali Yaks ropes in Mahindra Showroom, Agni Incorporated as main sponsor for NPL". Republica. 2024-11-29. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  26. "NPL Franchise Teams Sold, Pokhara Fetches Highest Price". Neplays. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  27. "CAN secures whopping funds from NPL franchise ownership auction". Cricnepal. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  28. "Karnali Yaks retain seven players ahead of NPL 2025 mini auction". Cricnepal. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  29. "NPL completes player auction for second edition with 37 signings". online khabar. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  30. "Kathmandu Gurkhas pick Krish Karki as their local iconic player". The Kathmandu Post . 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  31. "Meet the OG man behind the wickets, our Director/ Head coach our pride, veteran Gyanendra Malla". Karnali Yaks . 2024-11-01. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  32. "Results of Nepal Premier League". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 December 2024.