Kathmandu — The Nepal Premier League (NPL) has received official approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC), marking a major milestone for Nepali cricket and strengthening the tournament’s international credibility, Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) Secretary Paras Khadka said on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Khadka said the ICC’s approval would help elevate Nepali cricket and establish the NPL as a more credible competition on the international stage.
Under the ICC’s requirements, all overseas players participating in the NPL must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective cricket boards. The provision also applies to players who have retired from international cricket.
Players who have participated in unauthorized or unsanctioned competitions within the six months preceding the start of the NPL will not be eligible to compete, Khadka said.
Emphasizing the importance of integrity in franchise cricket, he said the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code would be strictly enforced throughout the tournament to prevent match-fixing and spot-fixing. While Nepal is working toward introducing separate legislation to address such offences, investigations and disciplinary proceedings during the NPL will follow the ICC’s code, he added, urging players and franchise owners to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.
Khadka also revealed that preparations to introduce the Decision Review System (DRS) had reached the final stage, with an official decision expected within two to three days. Technical clarification regarding the NPL’s official T20 status was also expected by Monday following formal correspondence with the ICC.
Each franchise will be permitted to sign up to eight overseas players, while the playing XI must feature seven Nepali players and four foreign players.
In another major development, CAN announced that Kathmandu will host the ICC Asia Conference from November 19 to 21, bringing together cricket officials from Test-playing and Associate nations across Asia.
CAN plans to invite conference delegates to watch the NPL final, using the occasion to showcase Nepal’s cricketing potential and hospitality to the international cricket community.
The ICC approval, alongside efforts to strengthen tournament integrity, introduce advanced match-review technology and engage international cricket administrators, represents an important step in the NPL’s development as a platform for promoting Nepali cricket globally.
