Nepal Premier League auction: Everything you need to know

The highly anticipated Nepal Premier League (NPL) auction is set to take place tomorrow, October 6, in Kathmandu, sparking excitement among fans. Many are eager to know the details, including how the auction will unfold, the number of players available, the spending cap for franchises, the duration of the auction, and more. Here’s a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about the NPL auction:

Detail:

Date: October 6 (Sunday)
Starting Time: 2:00 PM (NST)
Location: The Soaltee Hotel, Kathmandu
Live Broadcast: NPL YouTube channel
Live Update: Cricnepal.com

How many players are included in the NPL auction?

There were 426 registrations to take part in the NPL auction but from that, only 142 were shortlisted for the auction by the NPL Preparation Committee. However, CAN Secretary Paras Khadka has acknowledged that there are a few errors, with some deserving players missing from the list. As a result, additional players will be included in the auction list.

As of now, A total of 27 players have been listed in the A category for the auction, while 38 players will be featured in the B category. The C category has the largest representation, with 77 players shortlisted.

How many players can a franchise sign from the auction?

A franchise can sign a maximum of 10 players from the auction. Each team should buy three players from the A category, four players from the B category and three players from the C category.

A category – 3
B category – 4
C category – 3

What is the purse for each team?

The auction purse is NRs 90 Lakhs for each team. From that amount, each team should sign 10 players. If the team overspends they will be penalised.

What is the price range of A, B and C category players?

The bidding for A category players will start at a minimum of 10 lakhs, with a maximum cap of 15 lakhs. For B category players, the bidding range is between 5 lakhs and 10 lakhs, while C category players will have a starting bid of 2 lakhs, going up to a maximum of 5 lakhs.

Category A: 10-15 lakhs
Category B: 5-10 lakhs
Category C: 2-5 lakhs

What if the bidding reaches the maximum price?

If bids reach the maximum limit, a lucky draw will determine the final outcome. For Example, if teams A, B and C bid up to the maximum price for a certain player then a lucky draw will decide where that player is going.

Is there a second chance if a player goes unsold?

If a Category A player goes unsold, they will be moved down to Category B, and if a Category B player remains unsold, they will be shifted to Category C. Category C players might also get a second chance.

After the first round ends, if teams still need to complete their squad, unsold players can be reconsidered. Franchises will submit the name of a player they’re interested in. If no other team chooses the same player, that franchise can sign them for the base price. However, if two or more teams select the same player, a bidding process will be held again.

Who appears first for the auction? Is it A category player?

There is no fixed order for the auction. Even a Category C player could be the first to appear, as players will be selected randomly. A random draw will determine which player is up for bidding, so players from any category could appear at any time. A Category-A player might even come up last in the auction.

What about foreign players?

No foreign players are going in the auction. The signing of foreign players will be conducted through a draft. They will be signed based on the franchise’s interest and budget.

How many foreign players are allowed in the team?

Four. A team can have four foreign players in the squad of which one must be an associate player.

What is the squad size of the team?

Each team will have a 16-player squad. One marquee player has already been assigned to every team, while 10 players will be selected through the auction. Additionally, four foreign players will be signed, and one iconic (local) player will complete the roster.

What is an iconic player?

Each franchise will select one iconic player from the local talent hunt, who may or may not be a registered player. While teams can select multiple players from this pool, only one can be included in the official squad.