NPL: Kathmandu vs Sudurpaschim clash today
The match is scheduled to start at 4 PM.
KATHMANDU: The second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) continues on Wednesday as Kathmandu Gorkhas take on Sudurpaschim Royals at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
The match is scheduled to start at 4 PM.
Kathmandu Gorkhas have made a strong start to their campaign, defeating defending champions Janakpur Bolts by 5 wickets in the opening match.
The victory has boosted the team’s confidence, and they aim to continue their winning momentum in their second outing.
Under the guidance of former national head coach Monty Desai, Kathmandu have assembled an impressive squad featuring Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus, England’s John Simpson and Ben Charlesworth, South Africa’s Ricardo Vasconcelos, USA’s Milind Kumar, and India’s Sunny Patel.
Milind Kumar’s outstanding performance in the first match has further energized the team. Led by skipper Karan KC, Kathmandu also boast strong domestic talents including Mohammad Adil Alam, Rashid Khan, Bhim Sharki, and Aakash Tripathi.
Last season’s runners-up, Sudurpaschim Royals, will be aiming for a winning start this time.
The team is captained by Dipendra Singh Airee and features experienced foreign players such as New Zealand’s Scott Kuggeleijn, USA’s Harmit Singh, and Australia’s Josh Brown and Chris Lynn.
Despite the strong foreign lineup, much of the responsibility will lie on captain Airee’s shoulders. Domestic players Binod Bhandari, Arif Sheikh, and Avinash Bohara will also play key supporting roles.
NPL matches are being held in both day and night formats at the TU Cricket Ground. According to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), a total of 9,450 tickets are being sold for each game.
Ticket prices for the league stage are set at Rs. 500 for general entry and Rs. 1,000 for premium seating. For playoff matches, ticket prices rise to Rs. 1,000 for general and Rs. 2,000 for premium. Seasonal passes are priced at Rs. 15,000.
The tournament, running from Mangsir 1 to 27, features eight franchise teams — Janakpur Bolts, Sudurpaschim Royals, Karnali Yaks, Pokhara Avengers, Biratnagar Kings, Chitwan Rhinos, Kathmandu Gorkhas, and Lumbini Lions.
A total of 32 matches will be played, including the league stage, three playoff games, and the final.
