Captains KC and Sah say – It’s a pleasure to play under floodlights in Nepal for the first time
Nepal Premier League begins with the first-ever floodlit match at Kirtipur TU Cricket Ground; Kathmandu Gorkhas defeat Janakpur Bolts by five wickets.
The Nepal Premier League (NPL) opened with a vibrant atmosphere at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, where thousands of spectators attended the historic first-ever floodlit cricket match at the venue. Due to limited seating, a significant number of supporters watched from outside the stadium. The introduction of floodlights created excitement among both players and fans.
Kathmandu Gorkhas captain Karan KC expressed his happiness after securing a five-wicket victory against Janakpur Bolts in the opening match. He said that playing under floodlights at their home ground for the first time felt special, and winning the inaugural match made the moment even more memorable. KC noted that the pitch offered good support to spin bowlers and credited their performance for the win. He added that the team has prepared with the objective of correcting past weaknesses and competing strongly for the title.
Janakpur Bolts captain Anil Sah also shared his joy at finally playing under floodlights in Nepal, describing it as a long-awaited dream. However, he admitted that the team’s failure to build long batting partnerships cost them the match. Sah mentioned that although the innings started well and Asif performed strongly with the bat, the lack of partnerships prevented them from setting a competitive target, and the team could not find a way back in the second innings.
Following the success of the first NPL season, the government prioritized the installation of floodlights at the TU Cricket Ground. A total investment of Rs 42 crore 19 lakh was made for the project. According to Bishan–Ishwari Joint Venture, which carried out the installation, six poles were erected, each fitted with 70 floodlights, totaling 420 lights across the venue.
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has scheduled 23 out of the 32 matches of this season’s NPL to be played under floodlights. The tournament, which began on Monday, will continue until Mangsir 27 at the Kirtipur TU Cricket Ground. This edition of the NPL features eight teams: Biratnagar Kings, Janakpur Bolts, Kathmandu Gorkhas, Chitwan Rhinos, Pokhara Avengers, Lumbini Lions, Karnali Yaks, and Sudurpashchim Royals.
