KATHMANDU: Nepal’s national men’s cricket team will compete in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men’s Premier League, with the top three teams earning qualification for the 2027 ODI Asia Cup in Bangladesh.
The 50-over tournament will begin in Malaysia on August 30. Nepal has been drawn in a group alongside Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Bahrain and Hong Kong, China. The other group features the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Singapore, Kuwait and Qatar.
Nepal will open its campaign against Saudi Arabia on September 1, followed by matches against Bahrain, Malaysia and Hong Kong, China.
Nepal qualified for the Asia Cup for the first time in 2023 after winning the ACC Premier Cup on home soil. It faced Test giants India and Pakistan in the tournament but lost both matches.
Nepal missed another opportunity to qualify for the Asia Cup two years ago after losing to the UAE in the semifinal. The upcoming ACC Premier League gives Nepal another chance to secure a place in the continental tournament.
Nepal also has a busy international schedule ahead. The team is due to participate in the Top End T20 tournament in Australia from August 21 before playing New Zealand’s ‘A’ team in September. With the schedules overlapping, Nepal could field its senior and ‘A’ teams in separate competitions.
Harmit Singh named Janakpur Bolts captain
American cricketer Harmit Singh has joined Janakpur Bolts for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) and has been appointed captain.
The left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder played for Sudurpaschim Royals in the first two NPL seasons, helping the team reach the final in both editions.
Bopara returns to Chitwan Rhinos
Chitwan Rhinos have re-signed England’s 41-year-old right-handed batting all-rounder Ravi Bopara for the third NPL season.
Bopara was Chitwan’s leading run-scorer in both of the first two seasons. He scored 286 runs in eight matches in the inaugural season, including three half-centuries, finishing as the league’s second-highest run-scorer.
In the second season, he scored 237 runs in seven matches, again hitting three half-centuries.
His return is expected to strengthen Chitwan’s batting lineup, which will be led by captain Kushal Malla.
NPL third season to begin November 5
The third edition of the Nepal Premier League will be held from November 5 to November 21, according to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
CAN confirmed the dates on Saturday. The participating teams had already completed player retention and releases following the mini-auction and have begun signing overseas players for the upcoming season.
