NPL Season 3: Schedule, Teams, Players & Everything to Know

Introduction

Nepal's biggest cricket party is back. NPL Season 3 brings eight franchises, Nepal's best cricketers and a wave of international names to Kirtipur for 32 matches between 26 October and 21 November 2026. The defending champions, Lumbini Lions, open against Sudurpaschim Royals, the team they beat in last year's final.

This guide covers the full schedule, every team, a complete list of overseas players, the playoff path, where to watch and my own analysis of who could win. I've kept analysis clearly separate from confirmed facts.

NPL Season 3 at a Glance

When Does NPL Season 3 Start?

Opening Match

Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals opens the tournament on 26 October. It is a fitting start. Sudurpaschim have lost both NPL finals so far, and Lumbini beat them in the 2025 final. Expect Sudurpaschim to arrive with a point to prove.

When Is the NPL 2026 Final?

The grand final is on 21 November. That gives fans almost a month of franchise cricket: 28 league games first, then four playoff matches in five days (17 to 21 November).

Which Teams Are Playing in NPL Season 3?

Eight franchises are confirmed. The table shows where each finished in 2025, plus captain and head coach.

Lumbini Lions

Defending champions. Skipper Rohit Paudel is also the team's marquee player.

Overseas players: Niroshan Dickwella (Sri Lanka, wicketkeeper), D'Arcy Short (Australia), Ruben Trumpelmann (Namibia).

Key players: Rohit Paudel, Aasif Sheikh (the most expensive buy at the 6 July auction, at NPR 20 lakh), Sher Malla, Sundeep Jora.

Biggest challenge: Defending a title is hard in a short league where one bad night can cost a playoff spot. Every opponent will target them.

Sudurpaschim Royals

Two-time finalists. They lost the final in both 2024 and 2025.

Overseas players: Saif Zaib (England), Scott Kuggeleijn (New Zealand), Brandon McMullen (Scotland).

Key players: Captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, and a retained bowling group of Abinash Bohara, Hemant Dhami and Hikmat Mahara.

Story: Their search for a first championship is the most natural narrative of the season. Kuggeleijn returns for a third stint with the franchise.

Janakpur Bolts

Inaugural NPL champions. They finished last (8th) in 2025.

Overseas players: Jimmy Neesham (New Zealand), Iftikhar Ahmed (Pakistan), Harmeet Singh (USA, captain).

Story: Can they go from last to the top four? With Chanderpaul as head coach and Neesham back, they have an experienced core to try.

Kathmandu Gorkhas

The capital-city franchise. Captained by Karan KC, with Monty Desai as head coach.

Overseas players: David Warner (Australia), K. S. Bharat (India, wicketkeeper), Sahan Arachchige (Sri Lanka).

Story: David Warner's signing is the biggest headline of the season. Bharat adds an Indian Test wicketkeeper-batter to the top order.

Pokhara Avengers

Overseas players: Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), Dhananjaya Lakshan (Sri Lanka).

Key players: Captain Kushal Bhurtel and head coach Ajantha Mendis, the former Sri Lankan spinner.

Players to watch: Shakib is a proven T20 all-rounder, and Bhurtel leads from the top of the order. Only two overseas names were listed at the time of writing, so check for late additions.

Chitwan Rhinos

Overseas players: Ravi Bopara (England), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Kaleem Sana (Canada).

Key players: Captain Kushal Malla, plus wicketkeepers Arjun Saud and Bipin Rawal.

Route to the playoffs: They finished 3rd in Season 1 but 7th in 2025. Raza and Bopara give them all-round depth, so a bounce-back is realistic.

Biratnagar Kings

Overseas players: Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka), Jishan Alam (Bangladesh).

Key players: Captain Sandeep Lamichhane, who is also the leader of the bowling attack, plus Lokesh Bam (wicketkeeper). Head coach Kevin O'Brien brings top-level experience.

Story: Last season the Kings featured big names like Faf du Plessis and Martin Guptill. This year the overseas group is smaller, so the Nepali core matters more.

Karnali Yaks

Overseas players: Mark Watt (Scotland), Akbar Ali (Bangladesh, wicketkeeper), Ariful Islam (Bangladesh).

Key players: Captain Sompal Kami and wicketkeeper Deepak Dumre.

Underdog angle: They finished 6th last season and the squad has fewer household names than the bigger franchises. That makes them dangerous in a format where a few good overs decide games.

NPL Season 3 Players to Watch

Nepalese Stars Who Could Define the Tournament

Seven of the eight captains are Nepali, and they are central to this story. The eighth, Harmeet Singh, is an overseas player.

• Rohit Paudel (Lumbini Lions): Captain of the champions and the team's marquee player. He sets the tone for how they defend the title.
• Dipendra Singh Airee (Sudurpaschim Royals): Captain of the two-time runners-up. A big season from him is probably what Sudurpaschim need to finally win.
• Sandeep Lamichhane (Biratnagar Kings): Nepal's best-known bowler and Kings captain. When he gets going, the whole game shifts.
• Kushal Bhurtel (Pokhara Avengers): Captain and a reliable run-scorer at the top of the order, now alongside Shakib.
• Kushal Malla (Chitwan Rhinos): Captain of a team rebuilding after a poor 2025. A hard-hitting middle order is his specialty.
• Sompal Kami (Karnali Yaks): Captain of the underdog squad, and the player most likely to drag them into the top four.
• Karan KC (Kathmandu Gorkhas): Captain of the Gorkhas, with the chance to learn from an international group.

International Stars Arriving in Nepal

David Warner joining Kathmandu Gorkhas has produced the biggest buzz. He is joined by Shakib Al Hasan (Pokhara), Jimmy Neesham (Janakpur), Sikandar Raza (Chitwan), Ravi Bopara (Chitwan), D'Arcy Short (Lumbini) and K. S. Bharat (Kathmandu). That is a very strong list for a league in its third year.

Full List of Overseas Players in NPL 2026 (Team by Team)

This is every overseas player named in the current squad lists. Squads can change before 26 October, so check the official site before publishing.

Total at the time of writing: 22 overseas players across 8 squads. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have the most representatives, and the list also includes players from Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, India, Pakistan, USA, Canada, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

NPL Season 3 Schedule and Key Matches

All matches are at TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. Times are as listed on the published schedule (12:30 and 16:30 starts). The format is Home vs Visitor. Confirm times on the official website before publishing, since schedules can change.

Full League Schedule

Playoffs

Matches Fans Should Watch (My Picks)

1. Match 1: Lumbini vs Sudurpaschim (26 Oct). The opener, and a rematch of the last final.
2. Match 18: Kathmandu Gorkhas vs Lumbini Lions (7 Nov). The Warner-led capital team against the champions, and probably the best marquee game of the league.
3. Match 28: Pokhara Avengers vs Kathmandu Gorkhas (15 Nov). Shakib against Warner on the last night of the league, which could decide playoff spots.
4. Match 2: Biratnagar vs Chitwan (27 Oct). Sandeep Lamichhane and Kushal Malla captain against each other.
5. Match 26: Biratnagar Kings vs Lumbini Lions (14 Nov). Late-league pressure between two of last year's top sides.

Playoff Race

Four playoff games decide the champion. This is the usual four-team structure, and it is how I read the published format:

• Qualifier 1: Top two teams play. The winner goes straight to the final.
• Eliminator: Third and fourth play. The loser is out.
• Qualifier 2: The Qualifier 1 loser plays the Eliminator winner for the second final spot.
• Final: 21 November.

That structure rewards finishing in the top two, because it gives a second chance.

Who Are the Favourites for NPL Season 3? 

Can Lumbini Lions Defend Their Crown?

They have a champion captain, a recognised opener in Dickwella, Australia's D'Arcy Short and a pace option in Trumpelmann. They also spent the most at the auction. I rate them as one of the top two or three sides. The risk is complacency, and a smaller league makes every loss matter.

Will Sudurpaschim Royals Finally Win the Trophy?

They have reached the final two seasons running, then lost both. That pattern suggests a strong squad that struggles in the biggest moment. Retaining their bowling group is smart, and an overseas trio of Zaib, Kuggeleijn and McMullen adds all-round balance. I think they make the playoffs again. Whether they win it is the open question.

Could Janakpur Bolts Return to Their Best?

From champions to last place in one season is a big drop, but the squad has Neesham, Iftikhar Ahmed and Chanderpaul in the dugout. I'd expect improvement, though a title is a stretch. A top-four finish would be a good result.

Which Team Could Be the Surprise Package?

My pick is Chitwan Rhinos. Sikandar Raza and Ravi Bopara give them two all-rounders who can win games with bat and ball, and they have a history of a strong start (3rd in Season 1). Karnali Yaks are my second choice, because short tournaments reward small, well-balanced squads.

Watch Kathmandu Gorkhas and Pokhara Avengers too. Warner and Shakib are the two biggest overseas draws, and either could lift a team on form alone.

What Makes NPL Season 3 Different?

• Bigger overseas names. Warner, Shakib and Neesham raise the profile.
• A bigger auction. 155 players were shortlisted and 37 sold on 6 July, after 52 retentions.
• Broadcast deals. CAN has secured television and streaming rights, plus ticketing arrangements.
• Possible official recognition. CAN leaders have said the ICC indicated the third season could receive official T20 status. Treat that as planned and not confirmed.
• Stronger franchise identities. Sudurpaschim have two final appearances and Lumbini are champions, so each fanbase has a story to follow.
• he Kirtipur atmosphere. All 32 games are in one stadium, so the crowd builds across the month.

For history: Janakpur Bolts won the inaugural title, Lumbini Lions won in 2025, and Sudurpaschim Royals were runners-up both times.

The Battle for Nepal's Next Cricket Hero

Franchise cricket gives young Nepali players something they rarely get: a dressing room with Warner, Shakib or Neesham, and live TV.

Young Players Who Could Break Out

• Ishan Pandey (Sudurpaschim): He has been consistent with the bat in domestic tournaments and made his ODI debut against the USA this year. Playing with international teammates could speed up his T20 growth.
• Aarif Sheikh (Sudurpaschim): He has been in good form with the national team, and a strong NPL could cement his place.
• Abinash Bohara (Sudurpaschim): Retained by the Royals, a sign the franchise trusts him as a key bowler.
• Aasif Sheikh (Lumbini): The auction's most expensive player at NPR 20 lakh. A price tag that high brings pressure, so it will be fascinating to see whether he delivers.

What Can Fans Expect From NPL Season 3?

• Big hitting. Warner, Short, Dickwella and Raza can clear the ropes on any night.
• Tight finishes. In a T20, the last over decides the result more often than not.
• Rising Nepali talent. Young players batting beside world names.
• A full-house Kirtipur. Afternoon and evening games at one ground in the heart of the valley.
• Intense playoffs. Four knockout-style games in five days.
• A real race for the trophy. Eight teams, no obvious runaway favourite.

Where to Watch NPL Season 3

CAN awarded the domestic TV rights to Himalaya Television Network and the worldwide streaming rights to NetTV. Ticket prices were not confirmed at the time of writing, so link to the official ticket page when it is live.

NPL Season 3: More Than a Cricket Tournament

For many fans, the NPL is the first time cricket has felt local. You can support Pokhara, Biratnagar or Janakpur, wear a team shirt and argue about the playoffs with friends from another province. Franchise cricket gives supporters an identity to rally behind, and it gives players a stage that Nepal's domestic calendar rarely offers.

That is also why the league matters beyond results. Each season gets Nepal a little closer to the professional standard of the leagues it is learning from.

Final Verdict: Is NPL Season 3 Set to Be the Biggest Yet?

On paper, yes. It has the biggest overseas name yet in Warner, a champion with a target on its back, a two-time runner-up desperate for a trophy and a strong Nepali core. The countdown is nearly over. Eight teams will enter the battle, but only one will leave Kirtipur as the NPL Season 3 champion. For Nepal's cricket fans, another unforgettable chapter is about to begin.

Key Takeaways

1. NPL Season 3 runs from 26 October to 21 November 2026, with 32 matches at TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.
2. Lumbini Lions are the defending champions, and Janakpur Bolts won the inaugural season.
3. Sudurpaschim Royals have lost both finals and open against Lumbini on 26 October.
4. About 22 overseas players are named across the eight squads, led by David Warner, Shakib Al Hasan and Jimmy Neesham.
5. The league stage ends 15 November, with Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the Final from 17 to 21 November.
6. Himalaya TV covers Nepal and NetTV streams worldwide.
7. My analysis puts Lumbini and Sudurpaschim among the favourites, with Chitwan and Karnali as possible surprises.

FAQs

1. When does NPL Season 3 start and end?

NPL Season 3 starts on 26 October 2026 with Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals. The final is on 21 November 2026.

2. Which teams are playing in NPL Season 3?

Eight teams: Lumbini Lions, Sudurpaschim Royals, Janakpur Bolts, Kathmandu Gorkhas, Pokhara Avengers, Chitwan Rhinos, Biratnagar Kings and Karnali Yaks.

3. Which overseas players are in NPL 2026?

About 22 overseas players are named in the squads, including David Warner (Kathmandu Gorkhas), Shakib Al Hasan (Pokhara Avengers), Jimmy Neesham (Janakpur Bolts), Sikandar Raza (Chitwan Rhinos) and D'Arcy Short (Lumbini Lions). Squads can change before the opener.

4. Where can I watch NPL Season 3?

In Nepal, Himalaya Television Network holds the TV rights. NetTV has the worldwide streaming rights.

5. How many matches are in NPL Season 3, and what is the format?

There are 32 matches in T20 format: 28 league games in a single round-robin, then four playoff games (Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the Final). All are played in Kirtipur.

6. Who won the previous NPL seasons?

Janakpur Bolts won the inaugural season and Lumbini Lions won the 2025 season. Sudurpaschim Royals were runners-up both times.

7. Who are the favourites for NPL Season 3?

There is no official favourite. In this article's analysis, Lumbini Lions and Sudurpaschim Royals look strongest on paper, while Kathmandu Gorkhas, Pokhara Avengers and Chitwan Rhinos have the star power to challenge them.