KATHMANDU, Nov 7: The second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) is set to begin on November 17, and cricket fans across the country are brimming with excitement. Following the overwhelming response to the first edition, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is optimistic that the second season will attract the same love, support, and energy from spectators nationwide.
The NPL carved its brand during its very first season, and the success of that edition motivated CAN to kick off preparations for Season 2 immediately. From upgrading the Tribhuvan University (TU) Cricket Ground to searching for sponsors, assessing player prospects, and promoting the league, CAN has left no stone unturned. As part of the promotional campaign, the NPL trophy is currently being taken on a nationwide tour, reaching different cities to build excitement among fans.
TU Cricket Ground gets new look
First edition of NPL takes Nepali cricket a few notches up, int...
CAN prioritized upgrading the TU Cricket Ground, and the Ministry of Urban Development also gave special attention to the project, transforming the ground’s appearance completely. For spectators, the days of enduring hardships—sitting on cold grounds or clinging to tree branches—are finally over. Seats and floodlights have been installed, and a new 10,000-capacity parapet allows fans to enjoy matches in comfort. Now, the three-hour-long NPL matches can be experienced from colorful, comfortable chairs, making the stadium a more enjoyable place for cricket lovers.
The parapet, built specifically for the NPL, has already been completed. Prem Paudel, director of BKOI KCDC BG Joint Venture Company, which oversaw the construction, confirmed: “We completed the parapet work before Dashain. Only the handover remains.” The construction has made the TU Ground visually striking, with railings, fences, and barbed wire installed to ensure the safety of both spectators and players. CAN representatives, along with the construction team, expressed satisfaction that the parapet, which began construction in the first week of March, was completed ahead of schedule. The project was carried out under a contract worth Rs 437.7 million.
Progress on floodlight installation
Another major improvement at the TU Ground is the installation of floodlights, which will allow for night matches—a first in Nepal’s cricket history. The installation work, being handled by Bishan Ishwari JV Company, is progressing rapidly, but uncertainty remains about whether it will be fully completed before the NPL begins. While the poles are in place, not all the lights have been connected yet. Each of the six poles will host 70 lights, totaling 420 lights, and the work involves precise planning and execution.
An engineer working on the floodlight project told Republica, “Our goal is to finish before the NPL starts. All six poles have been installed, and we have completed light installation on one pole. The rest will be finished soon.” The work is ongoing daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. All required lights have been imported from Italy, and with their arrival complete, the company is now preparing to finish installation in the coming days. The floodlight contract, signed on March 6, has faced delays, and the company has been paying daily penalties since mid-July for the late delivery.
Once completed, spectators will witness the white cricket ball soaring into the night sky under bright floodlights at the International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur—a historic moment for Nepalese cricket.
Looking ahead
The second edition of the NPL will be held from November 17 to December 13, offering fans more than three weeks of exciting cricket action. With the upgraded TU Cricket Ground and the possibility of night matches, Season 2 promises a more spectacular and fan-friendly experience. Cricket enthusiasts can finally enjoy matches comfortably, cheer loudly from their seats, and maybe even experience the thrill of Nepal’s first-ever floodlit cricket games on home ground.
