Kathmandu, Nepal: The eight marquee players for the upcoming Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024 have been determined through a lucky draw. The eight franchise teams participated in the draw, with each team having a representative select a ball from a bag.
The marquee players selected are:
- Kathmandu: Karan KC
- Pokhara: Kushal Bhurtel
- Chitwan: Kushal Malla
- Biratnagar: Sandeep Lamichhane
- Lumbini: Rohit Paudel
- Janakpur: Aasif Sheikh
- Karnali: Sompal Kami
- Far West: Dipendra Singh Airee (automatic selection)
The marquee players will receive a salary of Rs. 20 lakh per season and will sign a three-year contract with their respective teams. Their primary role is to guide the team during the player auction and make decisions about player selections in consultation with the coach and team management.
The auction for other players will take place before Dashain in November and December.
Brief profiles of the marquee players:
- Rohit Paudel: A reliable batsman and captain of the Nepali national team, Rohit is a valuable asset to Lumbini.
- Sompal Kami: A skilled all-rounder with experience in both batting and bowling, Sompal is a key player for Karnali.
- Karan KC: A versatile all-rounder with a strong batting and bowling game, Karan will be a valuable addition to Kathmandu.
- Sandeep Lamichhane: A talented spinner with international experience, Sandeep is a highly sought-after player for Biratnagar.
- Kushal Bhurtel: A promising young opener with a strong batting and part-time spin bowling skills, Kushal will be a key asset for Pokhara.
- Dipendra Singh Airee: A versatile all-rounder with a reputation for leadership and strong performances, Dipendra is a valuable addition to Far West.
- Kushal Malla: A powerful hitter and spin bowler, Kushal is a talented player who will be a valuable asset to Chitwan.
- Aasif Sheikh: A promising opener with a strong batting technique, Asif is a valuable addition to Janakpur.
