NPL 2026 Players & Squad Directory

Search retained players, reported auction buys, and verified overseas signings across all eight Nepal Premier League franchises. Counts reflect this reviewed directory.

Tournament window: October 26–November 21, 2026 · Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur

180
Total Players
8
Franchises
52
Retained Players
26
Overseas Signings

The Nepal Premier League Season 3 player directory lists 180 player profiles across the eight franchise squads at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, where Season 3 runs from October 26 to November 21, 2026. The Season 3 squads account for 131 of those profiles: 52 retained players, 53 auction listings (one of them flagged as a conflicting report), and 26 overseas signings. The remaining profiles are players from Seasons 1 and 2 and the teams' head coaches. Marquee overseas stars including David Warner, Shakib Al Hasan, Charith Asalanka, James Neesham, Sikandar Raza, and Harmeet Singh join prominent Nepal national team pillars such as Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Sandeep Lamichhane. The interactive directory below enables instant player filtering by franchise, playing discipline, and recruitment status.

⚡ NPL Season 3 Player Directory Overview

The Nepal Premier League Season 3 player directory holds 180 player profiles across all eight franchise squads, covering the season that runs from October 26 to November 21, 2026, at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu. The Season 3 squads were built through three routes: 52 retained domestic players, 53 auction listings from the July 6, 2026 auction in Kathmandu (one of them flagged as a conflicting report), and 26 direct overseas signings. The directory also keeps the profiles of players from Seasons 1 and 2 and the teams' head coaches. Global cricket icons including David Warner, Shakib Al Hasan, Charith Asalanka, James Neesham, Sikandar Raza, and Harmeet Singh join prominent Nepal national team pillars such as Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, and Karan KC. Real-time filtering enables instant roster lookups by franchise, player role, and acquisition category.

Search Player Directory

Search a player name, then narrow the list by franchise or recruitment status. Filters apply together: clear the name field or choose All teams if a profile does not appear. A role marked unspecified indicates that the cited roster source does not establish it.

A listed auction price belongs specifically to that auction transaction. It is not an ongoing retained salary or an overseas contract fee. Entries marked as conflicting need confirmation before being treated as completed transfers.

180 players listed

Squad Construction & Recruitment Architecture

Franchise rosters for Nepal Premier League Season 3 combine continuity, auction market strategy, and international star recruitment. Squad rules require each team to maintain a core of home-grown domestic talent while integrating overseas professionals to elevate competitive standards.

The recruitment framework consists of three distinct channels:

  • Domestic Retentions: Franchises secured core members ahead of the new season, locking in established national team players and promising local prospects from previous seasons. A total of 52 players hold retained status.
  • Kathmandu Mega Auction: Conducted on July 6, 2026, the auction placed 155 domestic cricketers before team management panels. Franchises operated under strict salary caps, dividing their budgets across Category A, Category B, and Category C pools. Fifty-two players secured verified contracts, with one record subject to timeline verification.
  • Overseas Marquee Signings: Teams negotiated directly with international cricketers, adding international tournament experience to their batting lineups and bowling attacks. This directory lists 26 overseas signings across the eight Season 3 squads.

International Stars & Overseas Firepower

The arrival of decorated international cricketers gives Nepal Premier League Season 3 unprecedented global visibility. International recruits provide tactical leadership, match-winning batting depth, and varied bowling skills to their squads.

Kathmandu Gorkhas secured Australian explosive left-handed opener David Warner, providing world-class experience at the top of the order alongside Indian wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat and Sri Lankan all-rounder Sahan Arachchige. Pokhara Avengers enlisted veteran Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, bringing elite left-arm orthodox spin and middle-order composure. Biratnagar Kings signed Sri Lankan national team batter Charith Asalanka to anchor their middle order.

Janakpur Bolts strengthened their all-round versatility by signing New Zealand power-hitter James Neesham alongside United States spinner Harmeet Singh. Chitwan Rhinos added Zimbabwean match-winner Sikandar Raza, recognized globally for middle-overs off-spin and boundary-clearing finishing. Sudurpaschim Royals recruited English county all-rounder Saif Ali Zaib to provide dynamic left-handed batting and left-arm spin. Detailed overseas profiles are available in the verified overseas signings directory.

Domestic Pillars & Category A Anchors

While international icons draw headlines, Nepal's national team stalwarts form the competitive backbone of every squad. These domestic marquee leaders set tactical standards and guide developing teammates through high-pressure match situations.

Lumbini Lions build their title defense around national captain Rohit Paudel, supported by premier wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh, who joined through a marquee NPR 20 lakh auction transaction. Sudurpaschim Royals feature world-record all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee alongside seasoned wicketkeeper Binod Bhandari, national quick Abinash Bohara, and Arif Sheikh. Pokhara Avengers count on explosive opener Kushal Bhurtel alongside spin specialist Sagar Dhakal and speedster Aakash Chand.

Chitwan Rhinos feature dynamic hard-hitting all-rounder Kushal Malla, supported by national seamer Kamal Singh Airee and top-order batter Dev Khanal. Biratnagar Kings rely on world-class leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, fast-bowling talent Pratish GC, and all-rounder Basir Ahamad. Karnali Yaks depend on premier fast bowler Sompal Kami, rising all-rounder Gulshan Jha, and experienced campaigner Pawan Sarraf. Kathmandu Gorkhas lean on veteran pace spearhead Karan KC and middle-order batter Bhim Sharki, while Janakpur Bolts depend on national left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi and wicketkeeper-batter Anil Sah.

Emerging Talent & Uncapped Player Pathway

The player auction offered vital progression for unheralded cricketers from Nepal's seven provinces. Category B and Category C selections introduced emerging wicketkeepers, wrist spinners, and athletic pacers into elite training setups.

Young talents such as Rit Gautam and Trit Raj Das with Janakpur Bolts, Bibek Kumar Rana Magar with Pokhara Avengers, Aprajit Poudel with Biratnagar Kings, and Arniko Prasad Yadav with Lumbini Lions gained their first major professional contracts. Working alongside international coaches and global stars accelerates their tactical development and provides valuable bench depth across the 27-day tournament schedule.

Roster Reconciliation & Data Verification

Independent coverage requires transparency regarding source differences across official and media records. The published tracker records 53 domestic auction entries — 52 verified purchases and one entry still under review — whereas initial post-auction media statements and the July 7 Kathmandu Post report indicated 37 sales, and Khabarhub cited 52.

Individual player rows in this directory reflect verified transaction records from the auction database. Two specific entries require contextual review:

  • Dilsad Ali: Tracked as an auction signing for Biratnagar Kings at NPR 5 lakh.
  • Sahil Patel: The auction snapshot records a sale to Kathmandu Gorkhas for NPR 5 lakh, whereas the auction-day timeline recorded an unsold outcome. This player listing remains flagged under Conflicting auction reports pending definitive league roster reconciliation.

Overseas records cover only contracts confirmed in primary documentation. Absence from the current list does not confirm a lack of contract, as franchises finalize supplementary player registrations prior to opening day. Detailed pricing, purse balances, and auction-day timelines are maintained on the NPL 2026 auction page.

Compare all 169 listed players in the complete roster comparison table

Frequently Asked Questions About NPL 2026 Players

How many total players are listed in the NPL 2026 player directory?

The directory lists 180 player profiles across all 8 Nepal Premier League franchises. The Season 3 squads account for 131 of them: 52 retained players, 53 auction listings (one flagged as a conflicting auction report) and 26 overseas signings. The remaining profiles are players from Seasons 1 and 2 and 5 head coaches.

Who are the marquee overseas players signed for NPL Season 3?

Confirmed international signings include David Warner (Kathmandu Gorkhas), Shakib Al Hasan (Pokhara Avengers), James Neesham and Harmeet Singh (Janakpur Bolts), Charith Asalanka (Biratnagar Kings), Sikandar Raza (Chitwan Rhinos), Saif Ali Zaib (Sudurpaschim Royals), KS Bharat (Kathmandu Gorkhas), and Sahan Arachchige (Kathmandu Gorkhas).

How were players recruited into NPL franchise squads?

Franchises acquired players through three primary routes: retaining up to 6 to 8 domestic players from earlier contracts, bidding at the Kathmandu domestic player auction held on July 6, 2026, and signing direct overseas contracts.

What was the highest price paid for a domestic player at the NPL 2026 auction?

Category A domestic players fetched the maximum bid cap of NPR 15 lakh to NPR 20 lakh, with star national wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh securing an NPR 20 lakh contract with Lumbini Lions.

Can fans filter the roster by team and recruitment status?

Yes. The interactive directory features instant search by player name alongside dropdown filters for all 8 franchises and 4 recruitment categories (Retained, Auction listing, Overseas signing, and Conflicting auction reports).

Where can fans compare all squad rosters in a single table?

Fans can view side-by-side squad comparisons, auction prices, and player roles in the complete NPL squad comparison table at /all-players.

Explore NPL 2026 Tournament Hub

🏏 Match Fixtures 👥 Team Squads 📅 Full Schedule 💰 Auction Prices 📊 Standings 🏟️ TU Stadium 🎟️ Match Tickets 📈 Player Stats

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