Kathmandu: Nepal's all-rounder, Kushal Malla, has been signed by the Desert Vipers for the upcoming season of the International League T20 (ILT20) in the United Arab Emirates. Malla will replace Dutch all-rounder Bas de Leede, who is sidelined due to injury sustained while playing for the Pokhara Avengers in the Nepal Premier League (NPL).



Tom Moody, the Director of Cricket for Desert Vipers, expressed excitement over Malla’s addition to the team. “We warmly welcome Kushal Malla to the team. We are thrilled to have you join us for the 2025 season following your consistent performances in the Nepal Premier League and for your national team. You have demonstrated remarkable consistency over an extended period. Being young with immense potential, we are excited to help you develop further through opportunities in the ILT20,” said Moody.



Malla, 21, has made a mark on international cricket, representing Nepal in 47 T20 Internationals, where he has scored 917 runs, including one century and four half-centuries. In One-Day Internationals, he has accumulated 768 runs in 39 matches. Known for his slow left-arm orthodox bowling, Malla has also claimed 43 wickets, with 24 coming in ODIs.



Earlier this year, Malla was part of the Nepal squad that competed in the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean. He also impressed in the Nepal Premier League (NPL), where he captained the Chitwan Rhinos to the playoffs, accumulating 223 runs and taking eight wickets.



As a new member of the Desert Vipers, Malla will join an impressive squad featuring cricket stars like Lockie Ferguson, Mohammad Aamir, Alex Hales, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sheldon Cottrell, and Sam Billings. The Desert Vipers, who were runners-up in the inaugural ILT20 season, will begin their campaign with a match against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the opening game of the new season.

Kushal Malla to join Desert Vipers for 2025 ILT20 Season

Kathmandu: A chartered flight from Sichuan Airlines, carrying 126 passengers from Chengdu, landed at Pokhara International Airport today. The Chinese team is in Nepal to participate in the Second International Dragon Boat Race, set to take place on December 29 and 30 at the scenic Fewa Lake in Pokhara. The event is being organized in celebration of the New Year 2025 and is a collaborative effort between the Pokhara Metropolitan City, the Chinese Embassy, and the Dragon Boat Association.



The Dragon Boat Festival, which was held for the first time in Nepal in 2023, is expected to attract participants and spectators from across the region. The festival has become a significant cultural event, showcasing the traditional Chinese sport in Nepal.



In addition to the excitement surrounding the Dragon Boat Race, the arrival of the Sichuan Airlines flight also highlights the growing potential of Pokhara International Airport. While regular international flights have not yet commenced, the airport has hosted several chartered flights, offering hope for future connectivity.



The Sichuan Airlines flight marks the third chartered flight from China to Pokhara, adding to the seven flights already operated by China, Bhutan, and India. The airport's office has expressed optimism about the future of international travel, particularly as the inauguration of Pokhara International Airport marks its second anniversary on January 1, 2025 (17th of the Nepali month Push).

Sichuan Airlines flight brings Chinese team to Pokhara for International Dragon Boat Race

Kathmandu: Janakpur Bolts etched their name in history as the inaugural champions of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) with a nail-biting five-wicket win over Sudurpaschim Royals in the final held at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. Opener Lahiru Milantha’s explosive batting performance was the highlight of the match, earning him the Player of the Match title for his scintillating knock of 87 runs off just 49 balls.



Milantha’s innings, featuring nine boundaries and four sixes, anchored the Bolts’ chase of a daunting 185-run target. His match-winning contribution earned him a cash prize of Rs 50,000. Captain Asif Sheikh provided a fiery start, smashing 33 off 19 balls, while Harsh Thaker added a steady 30 to guide the Bolts to victory in 19.2 overs.



The triumph marks a historic moment for Janakpur Bolts, who walked away with the coveted trophy and a cash prize of Rs 11.1 million. Pre-match favorites Sudurpaschim Royals had to settle for the runner-up spot and Rs 5.1 million.



Under the guidance of coach Pubudu Dassanayake, the Bolts delivered a comprehensive performance in the grand finale. The historic victory not only cements Janakpur Bolts’ place as the first-ever NPL champions but also sets a high standard for the tournament in years to come.

Janakpur Bolts crowned inaugural Nepal Premier League Champions with thrilling 5-wicket victory

Kathmandu: Footbal world champion Argentina ended 2024 as the top-ranked team in the FIFA men's rankings, retaining their position for the second year in a row. The rankings, released Thursday, showed minimal changes as only 21 international matches were played since November.



Argentina secured the top spot, followed by France in second place, and European champions Spain in third. The rest of the top 10 remained unchanged: England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Germany.



FIFA highlighted Angola's remarkable progress in 2024, with the team climbing 32 spots to 85th, the biggest improvement among all nations. Angola played the most matches this year, contributing to their rise.

Argentina tops FIFA rankings for second consecutive year in 2024

Kathmandu: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced the prize money for the teams that have made it to the playoffs of the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL).



In a statement released on Tuesday, CAN confirmed that the winning team will take home a cash prize of Rs 11 million. The runner-up will receive Rs 5.1 million, while the team finishing in third place will get Rs 2.5 million. The fourth-place team is set to receive Rs 1.5 million.



The playoff stage features Sudurpaschim Royals, Janakpur Bolts, Chitwan Rhinos, and Karnali Yaks. The Rhinos and Yaks will face off in the eliminator on Wednesday, while the Royals and Bolts will compete in the first qualifier.



The second qualifier is scheduled for Thursday, with the grand finale set to take place on Saturday.

Nepal Premier League winner to receive Rs 11 million cash prize

Kathmandu: Karnali Yaks, the Nepal Premier League (NPL) franchise team, has bid farewell to former Indian cricket opener Shikhar Dhawan, who returned to India after announcing his inability to continue playing due to knee issues. The team’s manager, coach, and players gathered at the Hilton Hotel on Monday to say their goodbyes.



Dhawan had joined Karnali Yaks with the agreement to play at least four matches in the NPL. After playing his fourth match on Sunday, the 38-year-old cricketer revealed that his knee injury, which has kept him from fully recovering since his retirement from international and domestic cricket after the IPL, would prevent him from continuing.



Dhawan arrived in Nepal on November 29, where he participated in the NPL inauguration and visited the Pashupatinath Temple. Over the course of his short stint, Dhawan made a significant contribution, scoring a half-century in his second match, 74 not out against Kathmandu Gurkhas. He also scored 45 runs against Chitwan Rhinos and 14 against Janakpur Bolts, totaling 136 runs in four matches.



In his final match against Biratnagar, Dhawan was dismissed for just 5 runs, bowled by Pratish Gharti Chhetri, who became the first Nepali bowler to dismiss Dhawan. Dhawan’s time with the Karnali Yaks was brief, but impactful, as he played a key role in promoting the NPL in Nepal.

NPL Update: Karnali Yaks bid farewell to Shikhar Dhawan

Kathmandu: Three more individuals have been arrested in connection with betting during the Nepal Premier League (NPL), as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling activities. According to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police, the arrests were made at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.



The arrested individuals are accused of facilitating betting through two mobile applications. Preliminary investigations by the police have revealed that the suspects were using the "Sports Bazi" and "Probo" apps to run the betting operations.



Earlier, on Tuesday, four Indian nationals were also arrested for their involvement in betting during the NPL. The CIB has formed a special team to investigate the issue, citing concerns about the potential risks of match-fixing and illegal activities associated with betting in the NPL.



The police have assured that they are keeping a close watch to prevent any wrongful activities in the league, with strict surveillance measures in place to safeguard the integrity of the tournament.

3 people arrested for betting in Nepal Premier League

Kathmandu: Ncell has announced its partnership with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) as the 'Powered By' sponsor for the upcoming Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024. The professional franchise-based T20 cricket tournament, featuring eight teams and 32 matches, will kick off on November 30 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, and conclude with the finals on December 21.



This collaboration aims to promote Nepal’s homegrown cricket talent and provide a platform for players to showcase their skills. Teams representing major cities—Biratnagar, Chitwan, Janakpur, Karnali, Kathmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara, and Sudurpashim—will compete in a round-robin format.



The agreement was formalized last week between Ncell’s Managing Director and CEO, Jabbor Kayumov, and CAN Secretary, Paras Khadka. Speaking about the partnership, Kayumov stated, "This collaboration underscores our commitment to youth empowerment, sports development, and social unity. Cricket has a special place in the hearts of people across the subcontinent, and we are proud to support a tournament that showcases local talent while bringing international-level production and players to the forefront."



The NPL matches will also be broadcasted internationally, with Ncell enabling live streaming for on-the-go viewers. The company has planned various customer-centric activations and offers during the tournament.



CAN Secretary Khadka expressed gratitude, stating, "NPL’s goal is to develop Nepalese cricket and elevate it to global standards. Ncell has been a consistent supporter of sports in Nepal, and their involvement will help us achieve long-term goals, including establishing NPL as one of the world's leading cricket leagues."



Ncell’s contribution to sports in Nepal extends beyond cricket, with sponsorships in football, volleyball, golf, and para-athletics. The company has supported key events, including the Triangular T20I Series, ICC League 2, and Nepal-Canada ODI Series. In 2014, Ncell organized Nepal's first domestic cricket league, the Ncell Nepal Premier League, in collaboration with CAN.



Through its CSR initiatives, Ncell has also supported the National Paralympic Committee, revitalized the Lainchaur Ground, and organized annual corporate golf tournaments. These efforts highlight the company’s enduring commitment to nurturing sports talent and infrastructure in Nepal.

Ncell partners with CAN as 'Powered By' sponsor for Nepal Premier League 2024

Kathmandu: Australia defeated Pakistan by 13 runs in the second T20 International, clinching the three-match series 2-0. The match, held at Sydney, saw Pakistan fall short of the 148-run target, getting bowled out for 134 runs in 19.4 overs. Usman Khan top-scored for Pakistan with 52 runs, while Irfan Khan added an unbeaten 37. Despite their efforts, Pakistan failed to chase down the target. Australian bowler Spencer Johnson shone with the ball, taking five wickets, supported by Adam Zampa with two dismissals.



Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat, Australia posted 147 runs for nine wickets in their 20 overs. Opener Matthew Short contributed the highest score for the hosts with 32 runs. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf excelled with four wickets, while Abbas Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem claimed three and two wickets, respectively.



The third and final T20 match of the series is scheduled for Monday. In the first T20, Australia had defeated Pakistan by 29 runs. However, Pakistan had claimed the three-match ODI series preceding the T20s with a 2-1 victory.

Australia secures T20 Series win against Pakistan

Kathmandu: The boos from a crowd wanting more action were growing again when Jake Paul dropped his gloves before the final bell, and bowed toward 58-year-old Mike Tyson.



Paying homage to one of the biggest names in boxing history didn't do much for the fans that filled the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys on Friday night.



Paul won an eight-round unanimous decision over Tyson as the hits didn't match the hype in a fight between the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer and the former heavyweight champion in his first sanctioned pro bout in almost 20 years. All the hate from the pre-fight buildup was gone, replaced by boos from bewildered fans hoping for more action in a fight that drew plenty of questions about its legitimacy long before it happened.



The fight wasn't close on the judge's cards, with one giving Paul an 80-72 edge and the other two calling it 79-73."Let's give it up for Mike," Paul said in the ring, not getting much response from a crowd that started filing out before the decision was announced.



"He's the greatest to ever do it. I look up to him. I'm inspired by him."Tyson came after Paul immediately after the opening bell and landed a couple of quick punches but didn't try much else the rest of the way.



Even fewer rounds than the normal 10 or 12 and two-minute rounds instead of three, along with heavier gloves designed to lessen the power of punches, couldn't do much to generate action.



Paul was more aggressive after the quick burst from Tyson in the opening seconds, but the punching wasn't very efficient. There were quite a few wild swings and misses."I was trying to hurt him a little bit," said Paul, who improved to 11-1. "I was scared he was going to hurt me. I was trying to hurt him. I did my best.



I did my best."Tyson mostly sat back and waited for Paul to come to him, with a few exceptions. It was quite the contrast to the co-main event, another slugfest between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano in which Taylor kept her undisputed super lightweight championship with another disputed decision.



It was the first sanctioned fight since 2005 for Tyson, who fought Roy Jones in a much more entertaining exhibition in 2020. Paul started fighting a little more than four years ago."I didn't prove nothing to anybody, only to myself," Tyson said when asked what it meant to complete the fight.



"I'm not one of those guys that looks to please the world. I'm just happy with what I can do."Tyson's record is now 50-7 with 44 knockouts.The fight was originally scheduled for July 20 but had to be postponed when Tyson was treated for a stomach ulcer after falling ill on a flight.



Tyson slapped Paul on the face during the weigh-in a night before the fight, and they traded insults in several of the hype events, before and after the postponement.The hate was long gone by the end of the underwhelming fight."This guy's always had my back," Paul said about Tyson.



"I love him. I love his family, his coaches. It's just an honor to be in the ring with all of them."The fight set a Texas record for combat sports with a gate of nearly $18 million, according to organizers, and Netflix had problems with the feed in the streaming platform's first live combat sports event.



Netflix has more than 280 million subscribers globally."This is the biggest event," Paul said. "Over 120 million people on Netflix. We crashed the site."Mario Barrios retained the WBC welterweight title in a draw with Abel Ramos on the undercard.



Barrios was in control early before Ramos dominated the middle rounds. Each recorded a knockdown in the 12-round bout.It was the first fight for the 29-year-old Barrios since he was appointed the WBC welterweight champ when Terence Crawford started the process of moving up from the 147-pound class.



Barrios, who is 29-2-1, had won the interim WBC title with a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugás last year. The 33-year-old Ramos is 28-6-3.



Source: AP

Jake Paul beats 58-year-old Mike Tyson as the hits don't match the hype

Kathmandu: Nepal has made history by qualifying for the ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup, set to be held in Malaysia next year. The milestone was achieved after Nepal defeated the UAE by 8 wickets in a crucial match on Wednesday, securing their spot in the tournament for the first time.



Chasing a modest target of 84 runs set by the UAE, Nepal completed the chase in just 14 overs, losing only 2 wickets. Opener Sana Pravin led the charge with an unbeaten 35 runs. Captain Pooja Mahato also contributed with a quickfire 21 runs off 18 balls, while Sabitri Dhami added 12 runs to the total.



Earlier, UAE, who won the toss and opted to bat first, struggled to put up a big score. They were dismissed for 83 runs in 20 overs, losing 9 wickets in the process. UAE captain Samaira Dharanidhar top-scored for her side with 31 runs, while Rineetha Ranjit contributed 20 runs. Openers Lavanya Kenny and Induja Nandakumar both made 10 runs each.



For Nepal, Krishna Gurung was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets for 17 runs in her 4-over spell. Gurung had a remarkable over, in which she dismissed 3 UAE players, including captain Dharanidhar. Riya Sharma and Seema KC each picked up 2 wickets, while Rachna Kumari Chaudhary took 1 wicket.



Nepal's victory not only marks their qualification for the prestigious tournament but also highlights the team's growing strength in women's cricket.

Nepal makes history by qualifying for ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup

Kathmandu: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India will not participate in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. ESPNcricinfo reports that the BCCI has formally requested the ICC to find an alternative arrangement, with the Indian team not traveling to Pakistan for the tournament.



As the host nation, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing for a potential eight-team competition, but India’s decision has raised questions about the tournament’s logistics. The ICC is considering a hybrid model, with some matches potentially being held outside Pakistan, in locations such as Dubai, as India has requested to play its matches in neutral venues. Sri Lanka has also emerged as a possible alternative venue.



The participating teams for the Champions Trophy will include India, Pakistan, Australia, England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and South Africa. However, with India’s withdrawal from traveling to Pakistan, discussions around the tournament format and venues are ongoing.



Although the Champions Trophy is scheduled to begin on February 19, 2025, the full match schedule has not yet been released. The Pakistan Cricket Board has requested formal written confirmation of India’s decision regarding the tournament.

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