NPL cricket heats up Kathmandu amid winter chill (photos)

KATHMANDU: Despite the dropping temperatures in Kathmandu Valley, the excitement of cricket has been keeping fans warm.

Just like last year, the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) is witnessing thrilling matches during the winter season.

Played in dry weather, the tournament has seen both local and internationally recognized players hitting boundaries and sixes, captivating spectators.

Watching cricket under the bright afternoon sun has become a unique experience for fans.

For the first time in Nepal, cricket matches are being played under floodlights at night, marking a historic milestone for the sport in the country.

Although Nepali players have experienced night matches abroad, this is their first opportunity to play under lights in Nepal.

Local fans are also enjoying the thrill of night matches for the first time. Even in cold evenings, the Kirtipur Cricket Stadium has been packed with spectators.

Previously, fans had to watch matches from dusty grounds or even climb trees, but now they enjoy the game from colorful seats installed on the stadium’s parafit structures. The dedication of Nepali cricket fans has impressed cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Following internationally acclaimed players from eight different teams, these fans have helped NPL cricket gain recognition globally.

Latest Standings and Playoffs

After the completion of the league phase, the competition is expected to intensify. The top four teams on the points table will compete in the playoffs to determine the final champion.

A total of 32 matches are being held in the NPL, with eight teams playing seven matches each in the league stage. The playoff stage will begin on Mangsir 23 (Tuesday).

• Qualifier 1: Sudurpashchim Royals (12 points, top) vs. Biratnagar Kings (10 points, second highest) on Dec 9. The Royals, who had won six consecutive matches leading up to the last league match, suffered a defeat against Biratnagar on Saturday. Both teams are expected to play aggressively in the upcoming match. Although both Biratnagar Kings and Kathmandu Avengers have 10 points each, Biratnagar qualified for Qualifier 1 based on net run rate.

• Eliminator 1: Kathmandu Gorkhas (third) vs. Lumbini Lions (fourth) on Dec 10 (Wednesday). Kathmandu Gorkhas had previously defeated Lumbini Lions by 53 runs during the league stage.

• Qualifier 2: To be played on Dec 11 (Thursday) between the winner of Eliminator 1 and the loser of Qualifier 1.

• Final: Scheduled for Dec 13 (Saturday) between the winners of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2.

Playoff Teams Overview

Sudurpashchim Royals: Dominating the tournament, the Royals won six consecutive matches to top the league with 12 points but were defeated by Biratnagar Kings in their final league match. They previously defeated Chitwan Rhinos, Kathmandu Gorkhas, Pokhara Avengers, Karnali Yaks, and Lumbini Lions in impressive fashion. Last year, they were runners-up, and this year they have showcased exceptional performance.

Kathmandu Gorkhas: Winning five matches and losing two, Gorkhaz secured a playoff spot. They defeated Janakpur Bolts, Lumbini Lions, Chitwan Rhinos, Karnali Yaks, and Pokhara Avengers while losing to Sudurpashchim Royals and Biratnagar Kings.

Biratnagar Kings: Also qualifying early for the playoffs, the Kings secured a spot in Qualifier 1 due to net run rate. They won five matches and lost two, including a notable 220-run innings against Pokhara Avengers, the tournament’s highest score.

Lumbini Lions: Secured the fourth playoff spot by defeating last year’s champion Janakpur Bolts. They also defeated Chitwan Rhinos, Pokhara Avengers, and Biratnagar Kings, while losing to Karnali Yaks and Sudurpashchim Royals. Other teams like Janakpur Bolts, Pokhara, and Chitwan failed to reach the playoffs.

Top Individual Performances

Centuries: Only two foreign players have scored centuries so far. Adam Rossington of Pokhara Avengers scored 108 against Karnali Yaks, hitting 11 fours and 7 sixes in 58 balls. Mark Watt of Karnali Yaks scored 114 against Lumbini Lions. The leading run-scorers include Rossington (323), Watt (242), and Ravi Bopara (237).

Most Wickets: Biratnagar Kings’ captain Sandeep Lamichhane leads with 15 wickets, including a hat-trick against Sudurpashchim Royals. Avinash Bohara of Sudurpashchim Royals has 14 wickets, while Sahab Alam of Kathmandu Gorkhas has 12 wickets, including a six-wicket hat-trick against Pokhara.

Foreign Players and Experience

Each team features four foreign players, some playing the entire tournament, while others left early due to international commitments.

Nepali fans have enjoyed watching their outstanding batting, bowling, and fielding skills. Foreign players have also captained Nepali teams for the first time. For instance, Janakpur Bolts appointed Wayne Parnell and later Lofttie-Eaton as captains after previous defeats.

These international players have praised Nepal’s natural beauty and the enthusiasm of local cricket fans. Nepali players also gain valuable experience by playing alongside internationally acclaimed athletes.

Tributes and Social Initiatives

The NPL has also become a platform for players to honor their mothers. Lalit Rajbanshi of Janakpur Bolts paid tribute to his late mother by wearing a jersey with her name. Other players followed suit.

Pokhara Rangers wore green jerseys to raise environmental awareness.

Proceeds from jersey auctions are being used to support mothers who lost children during the Gen-Z movement and environmental organizations.

Nepali Officials and Security

Nepali umpires, including Buddhbahadur Pradhan, Durganath Subedi, and Vinay Kumar Jhal, are actively officiating alongside foreign officials.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has taken strict measures to prevent match-fixing. Several individuals, mostly Indian nationals, were arrested for online betting during the tournament.

Approximately 1,200 security personnel are deployed, with a separate control room monitoring 40 CCTV cameras.

Drones are also used for surveillance.

Improvements and Future Outlook

While the tournament has been largely successful, CAN is focusing on improving minor issues, such as seat management, ticket sales, floodlight maintenance, and stadium cleanliness.

The Nepal government’s investment in infrastructure and private sector support has elevated the tournament’s standard.

Flexible policies and continued private sector engagement could further boost cricket and other sports in Nepal.

The NPL cricket tournament has not only entertained fans with thrilling matches under floodlights and daytime sunshine but also highlighted Nepal’s rising prominence in cricket, combining international talent with local passion, while fostering social responsibility and professionalism in the sport.

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