NPL 2026: DRS, ICC Recognition and Stadium Upgrades Set the Stage for Season Three

KIRTIPUR — The Nepal Premier League (NPL) is set to begin its third season on 26 October, bringing a series of changes intended to improve the quality of officiating, strengthen the competition’s standing and make match days more comfortable for spectators. The tournament is scheduled to run until 21 November at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Eight franchises will compete in the competition, which has increasingly become a focal point of Nepal’s domestic cricket calendar. This season’s headline changes include the introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS), official International Cricket Council (ICC) sanction for the tournament, a more prominent overseas player line-up and upgrades to the ground.

DRS arrives in the NPL

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has confirmed that DRS will be used across the tournament. The system gives teams a chance to challenge certain on-field decisions, using video and specialist technology to help officials review close calls. Ball tracking is used for leg-before-wicket decisions, while edge-detection and sound-based tools help assess whether the ball has touched the bat. Video review procedures are also expected to cover incidents such as run-outs, stumpings, front-foot no-balls and selected boundary decisions.

Each side will have a limited number of unsuccessful reviews per innings, making decision-making important as well as the technology itself. Reviews can add time to a match, so the organisers have adjusted the schedule to provide extra room. On double-header days, the first match is scheduled for 12:30 pm and the second for 5:00 pm; single-match days are scheduled to start at 5:00 pm.

Official T20 status raises the stakes

The ICC sanctioned the third edition of the NPL in October. The recognition means this season’s matches carry official T20 status, allowing player performances to be included in official career records. The sanction applies to this edition and should not be assumed to automatically cover future seasons.

The recognition is also important for recruitment and the league’s credibility. Franchises have attracted well-known overseas players, including David Warner, Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, Moeen Ali and Jimmy Neesham, according to announcements and tournament coverage. Overseas players must comply with the applicable board-clearance and eligibility requirements, while each franchise’s squad and playing XI are subject to limits on foreign-player participation.

A more developed match-day venue

CAN has also reported improvements at the Kirtipur ground, including additional seating, a covered stand, an LED scoreboard, digital perimeter boards, improved player dugouts, a media centre, a family area and better toilet facilities. The changes are intended to improve conditions for players, spectators, broadcasters and sponsors.

Venue upgrades matter because the NPL is both a sporting competition and a major public event. Clear sightlines, crowd movement, family facilities and broadcast infrastructure can influence how comfortably supporters experience a match and how effectively the league presents itself to a wider audience.

What to watch in the third season

The season will test whether the new technology works smoothly under match pressure and whether the expanded facilities improve the spectator experience. The presence of experienced international cricketers may also give local players opportunities to learn from different playing styles and professional routines. However, the long-term value of the league will depend on consistent administration, competitive matches, reliable scheduling and continued investment in Nepali cricket.

The opening match is scheduled for 26 October, with the tournament continuing through 21 November. As the teams prepare to take the field, the third edition offers a significant opportunity for the NPL to build on its previous seasons and strengthen its place in Nepal’s cricket landscape.

Sources: The Kathmandu Post: NPL season changes; Radio Nepal: DRS and revised match schedule; The Kathmandu Post: ICC sanction.