Aasif Sheikh among five Category A players in 347-strong NPL auction pool

Kathmandu - A total of 347 Nepali cricketers have registered for the Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League Season 3 auction.

The league announced the player pool through its official social media channels, dividing players into three categories. Five players have been placed in Category A: Arjun Gharti, Bibek Kumar Yadav, Aasif Sheikh, Rupesh Kumar Singh and Trit Raj Das.

Category B includes 27 players, with Aakash Tripathi, Amar Singh Rautela, Bhuwan Karki, Dipendra Rawat, Dipak Bohara, Naren Bhatta, Prakash Jaisi, Sahil Patel, Shankar Rana, Shubh Kansakar and Sunil Dhamala among the names.

The remaining players have been listed in Category C, which includes several domestic performers and emerging cricketers such as Aadil Khan, Aarif Khan, Arniko Prasad Yadav, Bipin Acharya, Bipin Rawal, Cibrin Shrestha, Gautam KC, Nitesh Patel, Pratik Pokharel, Ringzin Lama, Shivam Tiwari, Sonu Devkota, Sudip Aryal and Vansh Chhetri.

NPL has also revealed the remaining purse of all eight franchises. Janakpur Bolts have the largest purse at NPR 66.25 lakh, approximately US$43,900.

Biratnagar Kings have NPR 51.50 lakh, around US$34,100, followed by Lumbini Lions with NPR 49.25 lakh, around US$32,600. Pokhara Avengers have NPR 45.50 lakh, around US$30,100.

Sudurpaschim Royals have NPR 42.50 lakh, around US$28,100. Karnali Yaks and Chitwan Rhinos both have NPR 42 lakh, around US$27,800 each, while Kathmandu Gorkhas have the lowest remaining purse at NPR 34 lakh, around US$22,500.

The auction will be a major step in shaping squads for Season III after the retention and release window. Franchises have already confirmed their core groups, making the auction important for filling specialist roles and adding domestic depth.

Note: USD figures are approximate, using about NPR 151 per US$1.