The Nepal Premier League (NPL) concluded last Saturday, with Janakpur Bolts defeating Sudurpaschim Royals to win the title. Dipendra Singh Airee was named the Best Nepali Player of the Tournament, while England’s Saif Ali Zaib received the award for Player of the Tournament.
Here’s a look at how Nepali national team players performed in the tournament:
Rohit Paudel (Lumbini Lions)
National team captain Rohit Paudel led Lumbini Lions, who finished last in the league. Despite his team’s poor performance, Rohit stood out individually. He was the highest-scoring Nepali player, with 279 runs and 8 wickets in 7 matches.
Dipendra Singh Airee (Sudurpaschim Royals)
All-rounder Dipendra captained the runners-up team, showcasing consistent performances in batting, bowling, and fielding. He scored 227 runs, including a half-century, and took 9 wickets in 9 matches.
Kushal Malla (Chitwan Rhinos)
Kushal, the youngest captain in the tournament, led Chitwan Rhinos to a fourth-place finish. He scored 223 runs and claimed 9 wickets in 8 matches, benefiting from the mentorship of senior players like Ravi Bopara and Sohail Tanvir.
Aasif Sheikh (Janakpur Bolts)
Asif played a key role for the champion team, captaining during the playoffs and finals in the absence of Anil Sah. He scored 162 runs in 10 matches, with a crucial performance in the final, setting up a strong opening partnership.
Anil Sah (Janakpur Bolts)
Despite injury setbacks, Anil contributed as Janakpur’s captain in the initial games. He scored 132 runs in 7 matches, including a half-century, and took 12 catches, the most in the tournament.
Kushal Bhurtel (Pokhara Avengers)
Kushal had a disappointing tournament, scoring just 54 runs in 7 matches. Although he took 5 wickets, his team finished seventh, and his captaincy debut was underwhelming.
Sompal Kami (Karnali Yaks)
Sompal’s performance was moderate as Karnali finished third. He took 9 wickets in 9 matches and scored 52 runs, including a top score of 29 not out.
Karan KC (Kathmandu Gurkhas)
Karan took 12 wickets in 7 matches for Kathmandu Gurkhas but contributed only 51 runs with the bat. His team narrowly missed the playoffs due to the net run rate.
Sandeep Lamichhane (Biratnagar Kings)
Sandeep struggled in the tournament, taking 6 wickets in 7 matches. His performance picked up in the final games, but Biratnagar was already eliminated by then. He managed only 22 runs with the bat.
Lalit Rajbanshi (Janakpur Bolts)
Lalit was one of the standout bowlers, taking 17 wickets in 10 matches, tying for the highest wicket-taker. His tight economy rate (5.32) and match-winning performances helped Janakpur secure the title.
Rijan Dhakal (Chitwan Rhinos)
The left-arm pacer impressed with 13 wickets in 8 matches, including figures of 3-10. His strong bowling partnerships bolstered Chitwan’s attack.
Gulshan Jha (Karnali Yaks)
Gulshan had a moderate tournament, scoring 132 runs and taking 1 wicket in 9 matches. Karnali finished third in the league.
Other Performances
- Bhim Sarki (Kathmandu Gurkhas): Scored 78 runs in 7 matches, struggling to make a significant impact.
- Arif Sheikh (Sudurpaschim Royals): Scored 69 runs in 9 matches while supporting his team to the finals.
- Arjun Saud (Lumbini Lions): Scored 68 runs in 6 matches, with limited opportunities.
Several other players like Sundeep Jora and Vivek Yadav showed glimpses of power-hitting but failed to prevent their team, Lumbini Lions, from an early exit.
The NPL highlighted a mix of standout performances and missed opportunities for Nepali players, offering lessons for future tournaments.