Cricket fever in Nepal is reaching its peak as the inaugural season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2024 is just days away. Organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), this franchise-based league promises to revolutionize the cricketing landscape in the country. Starting November 30 and running through December 21, the tournament will showcase some of the brightest talents and seasoned professionals from Nepal and beyond.
Chitwan Rhinos: A Team in Focus
Among the franchises, Chitwan Rhinos stands out for its well-rounded lineup and strategic gameplay. Their squad, led by marquee player Kushal Malla, combines local flair with international expertise.
Kamal Singh Airee’s Injury
A significant blow to the Chitwan Rhinos came just a week before the tournament, with bowling all-rounder Kamal Singh Airee likely to be ruled out due to injury. According to reports, he will miss the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Purchased for 10 Lakhs, Airee was expected to play a crucial role in balancing the team with his all-round skills. However, no official confirmation has come from the franchise yet.
The Chitwan Rhinos are facing significant challenges, including a loss of depth in their bowling attack, reduced flexibility in team combinations, and increased dependence on other bowlers to fill the void.
The team is struggling with a weakened bowling lineup, which could be due to injuries, player unavailability, or lack of form. This limitation affects their ability to adapt to different match situations and opponents, potentially impacting their overall performance. The remaining bowlers in the squad now have added pressure to perform and cover for the missing or underperforming players.
Chitwan Rhinos Squad
Kushal Malla (Marquee Player), Gautam KC, Kamal Singh Airee, Hassan Eisakhil, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Luc Benkenstein, Amar Singh Rautela, Bipin Rawal, Marchant De Lange, Deepak Bohara, Rijan Dhakal, Dipesh Shrestha, Ranjeet Kumar, Santosh Karki, and Sharad Vesawkar
We’re thrilled to announce the acquisition of Kamal Singh Airee, a Category A player, for 10 lakhs! 🦏✨ Kamal was part of the T20 World Cup squad; with an impressive record of 15 wickets in 10 matches and an economy of 6.49 in T20Is. Welcome aboard, Kamal! Let’s make this season… pic.twitter.com/LKaTS4YvGX
— Chitwan Rhinos (@chitwan_rhinos) October 6, 2024
Kamal Singh Airee: Career Overview
At just 24, Kamal Singh Airee has already made his mark in Nepalese cricket. A right-handed batter and medium pacer, Airee’s performances in ODIs and T20s have been noteworthy.
Career Highlights
- ODI Stats: 3 matches, 27 runs, and a batting average of 27.
- T20 Stats: 10 matches, 18 runs, and a bowling economy of under 7.
Tournament Overview
For the first season, 8 teams have signed up and have attracted some big T20 stars for the league. Interestingly, former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan will also be featured in this tournament. A total of 32 matches will be played in this inaugural season. The tournament will be played in round-robin and playoff formats. The top two teams from the group stage will make it to the qualifier, while the third and fourth-ranked teams will be in the eliminator.
While it’s too early to call favorites, the Kathmandu Lions and Chitwan Rhinos are shaping up as strong contenders. With their well-balanced squads, these teams could dominate the league.
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