In 2022, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) organized the Nepal T20 League after signing an रु. 330 million agreement with Indian sports management company Seven3Sports for a year to hold a franchise Twenty20 league tournament in Nepal. However, the league was surrounded by many conflicts and allegations such as match-fixing and corruption.[8][9]
The match between Kathmandu Knights and Biratnagar Super Kings on 3 January 2023 was delayed by two hours after players refused to take the field after failing to get their payments.[10] The players were contracted to get 40% of their payments before the start of the tournament and the remaining 60% during the tournament. Only players from Pokhara Avengers and Lumbini All Stars had been paid 50% of their contracted amount while the rest of the players had not been paid yet. The game resumed after Cricket Association Nepal officials assured the players of their payments.[11] After that, Kathmandu Knights captain Gyanendra Malla revealed on 4 January 2023 that one of his teammates had been approached for match-fixing.[citation needed] The incident was reported to ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit following which a team was sent to Nepal to investigate the claims.[12] The Central Investigation Bureau also formed specialized teams to look into the incidents.[13][14] The Bureau in its preliminary investigation revealed that it was keeping a close watch on three Nepali players and four foreign players on accusations of spot-fixing. The investigation also found evidence that Seven3Sports, the sports management company organizing the event, was involved in the incidents.[15] This leads to shutdown of the league. [16]
Foundation
After the shutdown of the Nepal T20 League and the qualification of the Nepal national cricket team for the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, On January 2024, the Cricket Association of Nepal announced the creation of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), scheduled for November and December.[17] On 2 August 2024, CAN invited proposals for franchise ownership.[18][19] The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced that the 2024 Nepal Premier League (NPL) will feature eight teams, each representing major cities across Nepal.[20] This marks a significant expansion from previous leagues like the Everest Premier League and Nepal T20 League, which included only six teams.[21][22]
To determine team ownership, an auction for the franchises was held on 5 September 2024. CAN sold the eight franchise teams for the Nepal Premier League (NPL) through a bidding process at रु. 16,88,93,231.[23] The team representing Pokhara was bought with the highest price of रु. 3,57,00,000 by Nepal T-Twenty Cricket Pvt. Ltd., followed by the team representing Kathmandu at रु. 3,33,33,339 by Kantipur Publications, while the team representing Karnali was bought at a lowest bid of रु. 1,11,70,000 by the Himalayan Builders.[24]
Organization
Player acquisition, squad composition, and salaries
Teams acquire players through an auction.[25] Each team has a squad of 16 players, with the opportunity of signing up to four foreign players: one marquee player from Lucky Draw,[26][27] three grade A players, four grade B players, three grade C players and one player from Talent Hunt. Unsold players at the auction can become replacement signings.[28]
Other notable rules, as of the 2024 season, include:
Teams can buy up to 10 players from the auction round (3 grade A, 4 grade B, and 3 grade C)
Grade A player base price: रू10 lakh (US$7,400), up to रू15 lakh (US$11,000)
Grade B player base price: रू5 lakh (US$3,700), up to रू10 lakh (US$7,400)
Grade C player base price: रू2 lakh (US$1,500), up to रू5 lakh (US$3,700)
The highest-bidding franchise buys players; if two or more bid the maximum amount, the lottery will decide which team the player will go to.
The salary cap of the auctioned players has been allotted a purse of रू90 lakh (US$67,000) each.[29]
Although matches were played using standard Twenty20 formats, players' statistics were not included in their official records because Nepal is not a full member of the International Cricket Council.
A summary of the most notable statistical records associated with the tournament is provided below:
The Nepal Premier League has officially announced its television rights partnership with Star Sports and digital rights partnership with DishHome for its inaugural season.[32]
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