Lumbini Lions top spenders in NPL auction; spend over Rs 8.47m to build top team

KATHMANDU: Lumbini Lions Club, a prestigious cricket franchise in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), emerged as the highest-spending team in the recent auction. The Lions spent over Rs 8.47 million in the auction organised by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) at The Soaltee Kathmandu.

The team now includes Nepal cricket team captain Rohit Paudel as their marquee player, along with notable names such as Bibek Yadav, Sandeep Jora, Arjun Saud, and Surya Tamang. Lumbini Lions spent Rs 1.5 million each to acquire Bibek Yadav, Sundeep Jora, and Surya Tamang. Additionally, they secured Aashutosh Ghiraiya and Tilak Raj Bhandari for Rs 1 million each, Durgesh Gupta for Rs 800,000, Arjun Saud for Rs 500,000, Dinesh Adhikari for Rs 275,000, Abhishesh Gautam for Rs 200,000, and Bikash Aagri for Rs 200,000.

Ishwar GC, chairman of Lumbini Lions Club, stated, "We are thrilled with the outcome of the Nepal Premier League auction, as we’ve successfully assembled the best team in the league. Our strategy was clear from the beginning: to bring together a group of top-notch talents who can represent the Lumbini Lions with pride, passion, and skill. I am confident that with our players' dedication and our fans' support, we will lead this season and take home the championship trophy. The Lions are ready to roar louder than ever before."

A total of 142 players were shortlisted for the NPL auction. This season, eight teams are participating in the NPL, which is scheduled to kick off on November 16 in Kathmandu.