Associate Cricket Nepal

NPL gets green flag from ICC: But there are big changes

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Nepal Premier League (NPL), the official franchise cricket league of Nepal organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) have got green flag from the International Cricket Council (ICC). The tournament starting from 30 November 2024 will have some impact as ICC have new rules for the league.

Before any league is held, foreign players need to get a green flag from the ICC to participate. And, NPL got green flag. But, due to the unsuccessful event, Nepal T20, held previously, this time ICC has set new measures for the Nepal Premier League (NPL). As per the measures, only four players from full-member nations can play in Nepal Premier League (NPL). The foreign players who have represented the full-members in the last two years will be count as the ones in the four players category. Players representing full-members before that will not be counted as full-member players for the league.

Flexibility by ICC

While players may not get time to participate throughout the tournament, that is why ICC have stated that 6 players can be signed for the league provided that only four can play at a time.

Players from full-member nations that have been signed already

Pakistani all-rounder Hussain Talat has been signed by Karnali Yaks, does not falls within the four-player limit as he has only played one ODI in 2019 and his last T20 was in 2021 against South Africa.

Jimmy Neesham who has been signed by Janakpur Royals and Mohammad Sohaibuddin signed by Lumbini Lions falls within the four-player limit. Now, only two active full-member players are yet to be announced for this NPL.

What next?

As two players have already be signed, the next two players who will be singed first and falls under the four-player limit will be the official ones to be signed. However, six players can be signed in the league, we can see four more signings in the league.