Why the Lucky Draw System in the Nepal Premier League Misses the Mark

The Nepal Premier League (NPL) is an exciting new venture in Nepal’s cricketing landscape, set to showcase the country’s talent on a bigger platform. Organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the NPL is a T20 franchise-based cricket league with eight teams representing various regions across the country. The inaugural season, running from November 30 to December 21, 2024, will feature cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, and others, competing for the top spot. The league aims to boost cricket’s popularity in Nepal and provide local players with international exposure, making it a much-anticipated event for both fans and players alike.

The decision to assign marquee players in the upcoming Nepal Premier League (NPL) using a lucky draw system feels like a missed opportunity, and honestly, it doesn’t seem fair, especially when you consider how much money teams have already invested. Teams like Pokhara and Kathmandu spent NPR 3.57 crore and NPR 3.33 crore, respectively, to secure their franchises. With that much financial commitment, it makes no sense that the assignment of their key player—the marquee player—should come down to pure luck.

Imagine being a team owner who has spent millions to secure a franchise, only to have the cornerstone of your team, the marquee player, assigned through pure luck. The lucky draw system forces you to accept whichever marquee player is given, regardless of whether they fit your team’s immediate needs. For example, a team in need of a key batsman might end up with a bowler, disrupting their initial plans for team composition. Since the remaining players haven’t been selected yet, having a randomly assigned marquee player can make it harder for teams to build a balanced squad that fits their strategy.

Had an auction system been used for the marquee players, it would have given team owners the ability to bid for players that best suit their game plan from the start. This way, the teams could align their key player with their broader strategy, making their financial investments feel more justified and paving the way for a more competitive tournament.

When you look at other leagues, like the IPL, auctions not only allow teams to build the squad they want, but they also add excitement for fans. People love seeing their team fight for the best players. The transparency of an auction means everyone can see the value placed on players and how teams are using their resources. Plus, it adds a layer of strategy that’s missing in the current NPL system. The lucky draw feels more like a lottery, and that just doesn’t sit right when teams are spending so much money.

In the end, while the lucky draw may seem ‘fair’ in theory, because everyone gets shot, it’s not a system that respects the strategic and financial commitments of the teams. An auction would have been a much better way to create balanced teams, allow franchises to invest wisely, and keep fans engaged with the process. For a professional league aiming to grow, this could be a key adjustment in future seasons.