Prime Minister Balen Shah inaugurates Nepal Premier League, praises growth

Prime Minister Balen Shah today inaugurated the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), stating that the tournament has established itself as a major festival of Nepali sports within a few years. The opening ceremony took place at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, this afternoon.The Prime Minister’s Press and Research Expert, Deepa Dahal, confirmed that Prime Minister Shah was preparing to attend the inauguration. Shah also extended his best wishes for the tournament’s success through social media, welcoming all international players and commentators participating in the NPL.The third edition of the NPL, which began today, October 26, 2026, and will conclude on November 21, 2026 (Mangsir 5), marks several new milestones for Nepali cricket. The league has received official T20 recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC), and for the first time, Decision Review System (DRS) technology will be used.The total market value of the NPL is estimated to be around Rs 8 billion, with an expected economic transaction of approximately Rs 1.5 billion. This significant financial engagement is anticipated to contribute substantially to the commercial development of Nepali cricket.The opening match, scheduled to start at 5:00 PM, features the defending champions Lumbini Lions against the runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals. Eight franchise teams are participating in the tournament. Some matches will be played as double-headers at 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM. Digital tickets for the opening match sold out within half an hour of their release, indicating strong public enthusiasm.The NPL has attracted several international star cricketers, including David Warner, Andre Russell, David Miller, and Shakib Al Hasan, among others. Prime Minister Shah specifically welcomed these international participants in his social media message.The tournament offers substantial prize money: the winner will receive Rs 15 million, the runner-up Rs 8 million, the third-place team Rs 4 million, and the fourth-place team Rs 3 million. This incentivizes players and teams, further professionalizing the sport in Nepal.The first edition of the NPL in 2024 was won by Janakpur Bolts, while the second edition saw Lumbini Lions emerge as champions, with Sudurpaschim Royals as the runner-up in both editions. Over its three editions, the NPL has seen growth in viewership, sponsorship, broadcasting rights, ticket sales, and player salaries.Despite the excitement, there were earlier concerns regarding the participation of Pakistani players due to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) No Objection Certificate (NOC) process. Nmkhabar previously reported that the PCB had reportedly demanded USD 25,000 per player, which had cast uncertainty over their involvement just a day before the tournament began.