Banking News – The first and second editions of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) laid the foundation for franchise cricket in Nepali cricket. Now, as the third edition approaches, the participation of foreign players has become an important aspect of the league. Although foreign players joining the NPL is not new, the impact is growing as the number of established international cricket stars familiar to audiences increases. There is also intense competition among league teams to bring in renowned players.

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) Secretary Paras Khadka stated that the arrival of experienced foreign players not only provides Nepali players with an opportunity to learn from them but also impacts the league’s international market, audience attraction, and the commercial value of the franchise. He noted that when famous foreign players come, it benefits not only the NPL but also Nepal’s tourism.

“When foreign players join the NPL, it greatly supports not only cricket but also Nepal’s tourism. Due to the star players who joined in previous editions, there was discussion of Nepal’s tourism along with cricket. Many foreign players posted photos and videos of famous places in Nepal on social media. I believe this gave Nepal’s tourism international exposure,” said Secretary Khadka. “This time too, the process of joining famous foreign players is ongoing. Their arrival will elevate the league and also contribute to Nepal’s economy.”

He believes that the opportunity to play in the same team with famous foreign players can make Nepali young players stronger mentally along with their playing skills. Khadka stated that the training style, discipline toward the game, preparation, and ways of handling pressure on the field of established international players can become a direct means of learning for Nepali players.

He stated that sitting in the same “dressing room” with players one has long idolized and stepping onto the field together is an important experience for young players. Such opportunities help boost the confidence of new players and help them understand the cricket they have been playing from a broader perspective, Khadka said.

“Being able to share a dressing room with players one has idolized is a great achievement for young players. Seeing the same player they have watched on the field since childhood playing on their own field will certainly boost the morale of young players,” said Khadka, who is also a former captain of the national cricket team. Khadka believes that such experience gained from foreign players does not end when the game is over.

CAN Manager Binod Das stated that by practicing and playing in the same team, Nepali players get to closely observe their professionalism, time management, attention to ‘fitness,’ and preparation before and after games. He also stated that the arrival of Australian World Cup-winning player David Warner will further benefit Nepali young players. “Nepali players will be able to learn many things directly from Warner’s experience and playing style. This will help increase the NPL’s standard and international attention as well,” said Das, who is also a former coach of Nepal’s U-19 team. “Being able to watch world-class players play on their own field is a great inspiration for Nepali young players. This will encourage them to work even harder.”

He also believes that the NPL will gain more attention in international cricket with the continuous addition of star players. “It is an achievement in itself for a world cricket star like Warner to come and play in Nepal. His arrival in Nepal will increase the NPL’s brand,” said Das, who is also a former captain of the Nepali national cricket team. “Warner’s presence will further increase the attraction of audiences and cricket fans toward the NPL. We are optimistic that the participation of famous players like them will also strengthen the competitive environment of the tournament.”

He also stated that Warner’s signing with Kathmandu Gorkhas will create an environment that attracts other famous foreign players to participate in the NPL as well. “When world-class players like Warner come to Nepal and play the NPL, it will help create a positive environment for other famous foreign players to come and play cricket in Nepal. Once players considered icons of world cricket come and start playing in Nepal, the trust and attraction of foreign players toward the NPL can increase. That will make it easier to bring even higher-quality foreign players to the NPL in the future,” Das said.

Captain of the Nepali national T-20 team, Dipendra Singh Airee, believes that the participation of foreign players in the NPL is adding new experiences and opportunities to Nepali cricket. He stated that competing in the same tournament with stars who have played internationally gives Nepali players an opportunity to learn from their playing style, preparation, and experience. Airee stated that the presence of foreign players also creates an environment for Nepali players to test themselves in high-level cricket.

According to him, the participation of foreign players can help increase the competitive level of the NPL as well as increase external interest in Nepali cricket. “Nepali cricket is benefiting greatly from foreign players coming. Their arrival is raising the standard of Nepali cricket. Playing with foreign players gives Nepali players an opportunity to learn many things, and that helps move Nepali cricket forward,” said Airee, who is also the captain of the NPL team Sudurpashchim Royals.

5 Famous Foreign Players Playing NPL-3:

Australian aggressive batter David Warner has been a player who has made a long impact in international cricket. He was an important member of the Australian team when they won the ODI World Cup in 2015 and 2023. Warner, who has performed excellently in all three formats — Test, ODI, and T-20 — has also played in various franchise leagues around the world. His experience and aggressive batting have become a subject of attraction for the NPL.

Warner has scored a total of 18,995 runs in international cricket so far. He also has long experience playing professional cricket. Warner has played around a dozen prestigious leagues including the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Big Bash League (BBL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). His career in those leagues has been excellent. Now 39-year-old Warner wants to showcase his brilliant performance in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) as well.

Another famous foreign player playing NPL-3 is former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan. He is preparing to play the NPL from Pokhara Avengers. Shakib’s name also appears in the list of established all-rounders in world cricket. A left-handed batter and left-arm spin bowler, he also led the Bangladesh national team for a long time.

Shakib has scored a total of 14,730 runs for Bangladesh. He has also gained experience in around a dozen foreign leagues. Shakib’s presence, bringing experience from playing international cricket as well as various franchise leagues, will add experience to Pokhara Avengers.

Another famous player to be seen in the third edition of the NPL is New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham. He is preparing to play the NPL for the third consecutive time. Neesham participated in the NPL in the previous two seasons from different teams.

In the upcoming edition, he has returned to Janakpur Bolts again. Neesham played an important role in giving Janakpur the title in the first season. He has been active in international cricket for a long time.

Neesham, who can contribute in both batting and bowling, has also played in various T-20 franchise tournaments around the world. His ability to play aggressive batting under pressure is considered important for the team. The 36-year-old Neesham has so far scored 3,309 runs and taken 149 wickets in international cricket. He has played in more than a dozen foreign leagues.

Another famous foreign player to be seen in NPL 2026 is England’s experienced all-rounder Ravi Bopara. He is playing the NPL from Chitwan Rhinos for the third consecutive time. Bopara also has long experience in international cricket as well as various T-20 franchise tournaments around the world. Bopara, who can contribute through batting and medium-pace bowling, is particularly known as an experienced player in franchise cricket. The 41-year-old Bopara has scored a total of 3,981 runs and taken 57 wickets for England. He has played nearly a dozen foreign leagues. Bopara’s experience is expected to be useful for Chitwan Rhinos.

Another famous player joining the third edition of the NPL is Zimbabwe team captain Sikandar Raza. He is currently known as a prominent all-rounder in international T-20 cricket. Raza, who can bowl off-spin along with aggressive batting, has performed impressively in various international and franchise tournaments. He has so far scored 9,382 runs and taken 252 wickets in international cricket. The 40-year-old Raza’s all-round ability will add options to Chitwan Rhinos in both batting and bowling.

NPL teams are confident that the presence of experienced players like Warner, Shakib, Neesham, Bopara, and Raza will give Nepali players an opportunity to closely understand the practice, preparation, and playing style of world-class cricketers. Director of NPL team Biratnagar Kings, Dipendra Chaudhary, stated that their arrival is expected to help increase international interest in Nepali cricket and further broaden the NPL’s identity.

“The participation of famous foreign players in the third edition will take the NPL to a new height. This appears to open another door of learning and opportunity for Nepali cricket,” said Chaudhary. “It will be important to not limit the benefits gained from the participation of foreign players to the tournament period but to connect it with the long-term development of Nepali cricket. If the experience Nepali players learn from them can reach training, domestic competitions, and the national team, its impact can become even more meaningful.” The third season of the NPL is being organized in Kathmandu from Kartik 9. CAN has already published the league schedule. The opening match of the tournament is scheduled between defending champions Lumbini Lions and runners-up Sudurpashchim Royals.

Lokesh Dhami/RSS