Nepal Premier League:A roaring success

The riveting and gripping 2025 Nepal Premier League Twenty20 cricket championship that captivated and galvanized  cricket aficionados across  the country and world from start to finish concluded in Kathmandu recently.

The tournament organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal(CAN) was a colossal success on all fronts.They deserve a round of applause for smoothly managing and organizing the event.

More importantly, it was free of controversies,including spot- fixing and match-fixing like in the past,on and off the field. 

As reported prior to the start of  this year’s  Nepal Premier League, attempts were made by an organized racket to lure players into match fixing.Fortunately for Nepal cricket it did not materialize this time around.

The organizer breathed a  big sigh of relief as players and officials refused to be enticed by the money offered to them by the perpetrators.Consequently, the tournament’s integrity was not compromised and rescued from going haywire.

As a matter of fact, match-fixers have constantly targeted Nepal cricket. It  all started with the first ever franchise based T20 league tournament organized by CAN in 2022.

After reports of spot-fixing and match-fixing surfaced midway through the first edition, Nepal Police Central Investigation Bureau conducted an investigation.Later they  arrested the culprits comprising officials,local and foreign players.

The cricket body needs to take  precautionary measures to  combat and cease match-fixers to safeguard the integrity of the tournament.

They have to  stay alert,keep themselves  updated on the issue and work in tandem with the local security agencies, International Cricket Council’s wing of Anti-Corruption Unit,International Police match-fixing task force and enforce a lifetime ban on players and officials involved.

Safeguarding the integrity of the tournament,especially to ensure success in the long run is indispensable and must be given top priority.

The spectacular sporting spectacle held in the newly renovated Tribhuvan University cricket stadium was under the spotlight throughout the competition.For the first time cricket buffs got the opportunity to watch matches under floodlights 

The championship had a festival-like feel to it. Every match attracted  a massive turnout as boisterous ,clamorous  and vociferous supporters of respective teams crammed the stadium. To add, it was televised  live nationally and internationally, providing it more visibility and recognition.

There is no doubt Nepal does have the potential to become a major international cricket venue going forward.That said, foremost it is highly essential that CAN has a strong  leadership,practices sound  governance and management. 

Furthermore, there is a need to further strengthen and develop infrastructure, facilities and make more investment 

Lumbini Lions  led by the  skipper of the national team of Nepal Rohit Paudel  turned the tables against favorites Sudurpaschim Royals to crown themselves champions and win their maiden title.

Player of the tournament Paudel, known for his batting prowess, played a crucial role in his team’s victory. He scored 276 runs and was  the second highest run scorer in the tournament.

In the championship game, he bowled brilliantly and completed a superb hat-trick,claiming three wickets in consecutive balls.

The final was somewhat anticlimactic as Sudurpaschim Royals batting faltered badly,thus  paving the way for a convincing and  easy victory for Lumbini Lions.

Compared to  four  local players,six foreign recruits finished in the top ten to   dominate batting. 

Likewise,local players had a field day in bowling with  eight of them making it to the list of top ten.Only two foreign bowlers figured in the list.

Adam Rossington representing Pokhara Avengers topped the batting  with 323 runs.

Speaking of Nepali batters,besides captain Paudel,experienced Binod Bhandari of Sudhar Paschim Royals who has not played for the national team for the last two years made a strong statement.He was the  tournament's third highest  run getter,amassing 264 runs.

Experienced duo  Bashir Ahmed(191runs)  of Biratnagar  Kings and Arif Sheikh (186 runs) of Sudhar Pashim  took the 9th and 10th spots respectively.

Three home players spearheaded by ace spinner  and skipper of Biratnagar Kings Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla (Lumbini Lions) and Avinash Bohara(Sudhar Paschim)  shared the bowling  honors .Each of them rounded off the tournament,claiming 17 wickets each.

 

Slow left arm  orthodox spinner Shahab Alam(Kathmandu Gorkhas) produced a memorable and superb performance  against  Pokhara Avengers by claiming 6 wickets,including a hattrick. He ended the competition with 13 wickets.His skipper and experienced pacer Karan KC also took the same number of wickets.

The tournament brought to the fore upcoming talented bowlers,batters and allrounders in the likes of Sher Malla ,

Aakash Tripati,Santosh Yadav, Bipin Khatri and a few more who put in an impressive performance,drawing national  selectors attention.

With the upcoming  2026 ICC Twenty20 World Cup taking place in India and Sri Lanka,the selectors have to pick the best players ,including new faces who deserve a break.