Kathmandu: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has taken disciplinary action against national cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane for misconduct during the Jai Trophy cricket tournament held in Birgunj and Janakpur.



Lamichhane was penalized for disputing an umpire’s decision and posting about the matter on social media, which violated CAN’s code of conduct. As part of the disciplinary measures, CAN has imposed a one-match suspension on him from its tournaments and reduced his merit points.



According to Article 2.7 of the code of conduct, players, match officials, and team members are prohibited from making public comments about CAN, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the International Cricket Council (ICC), or others associated with the game.



The incident highlights the governing body’s firm stance on maintaining discipline and upholding the standards of the sport.

CAN suspends Sandeep Lamichhane for disciplinary breach

Kathmandu: Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has sparked speculation about his retirement following an emotional social media post on Saturday night.



In the post, Lamichhane expressed deep gratitude to his supporters, stating, “The incredible people of this country and this beautiful nation have always stood by me, providing unwavering support at every step of my journey. You will always have a special place in my heart for your support and love, which mean the world to me.”



The post has left fans questioning whether the 23-year-old star is considering stepping away from cricket.



Lamichhane previously took a break from the sport after being accused of raping a teenage girl. However, he resumed his cricketing career after the Patan High Court cleared him of the charges. Since his return, Lamichhane has represented Nepal in international matches and led his franchise club in the Nepal Premier League.



As one of Nepal’s most celebrated cricketers, Lamichhane’s possible departure could mark a significant moment for the nation’s cricketing community. Neither Lamichhane nor cricket authorities have issued an official statement on his retirement.

Sandeep Lamichhane hints at retirement, fans speculate over emotional post

Kathmandu: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced plans to organize a specialized "Batting Camp" for young players. In a notice issued yesterday, CAN revealed that the camp will focus on enhancing the skills of promising batters.



Scheduled to run from January 17 to 25 at Tribhuvan University and Mulpani Cricket Grounds, the camp will feature 20 selected players. These players will train under the direct supervision of Nepal’s national team head coach, Monty Desai. According to CAN, the camp aims to foster skill development and boost the capabilities of the players.



The 20 players invited to the camp are: Lokesh Bam, Tritraj Das, Kiran Thagunna, Rit Gautam, Akash Tripathi, Sonu Ansari, Arjun Kumal, Ankit Subedi, Ashutosh Ghiraiya, Sohel Kunwar, Abhishek Tiwari, Bipin Rawal, Santosh Yadav, Naren Bhatt, Uttam Thapa Magar, Shubh Kansakar, Imran Sheikh, Santosh Karki, Sujan Thapaliya, and Arjun Gharti.

CAN to host batting camp for emerging players

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.

Sports

Our Team

Contact Information

Address (USA):

Address (Nepal):

Email:

Phone: