Kathmandu — In the mini auction for the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), four players were sold at the top price of NPR 1.5 million each. A total of nine players were listed in the ‘A’ category.
Among them, Mohammad Adil Alam, Pawan Sarraf, Dev Khanal, and Arjun Saud received multiple bids, pushing their prices to the maximum. But what is the background of these players? Here’s a brief overview:
Two of the players are currently struggling with form, while the other two are returning to big competitive cricket after a long break. Adil and Pawan are both skilled all-rounders. Dev and Arjun, former captains of the Nepal Under-19 team, are primarily batsmen. Adil is playing in the NPL for the first time after serving a ban of over two years, while Pawan missed the first edition due to injury.
Arjun played for Lumbini Lions and Dev for Karnali X in the previous season. However, both were released by their franchises ahead of this auction. Wicketkeeper-batsman Arjun has been out of good form recently, and Dev is also struggling to regain his rhythm. Both will need to work hard to secure their places in the teams.
On the other hand, power hitters Adil and Pawan will be eager to prove themselves on the big stage. For Adil, who is returning to official competitive cricket after 2079 BS (2022 AD), it will not be an easy journey. Pawan played in the PM Cup one-day tournament in March 2025, where he scored two half-centuries. However, competing in the star-studded T20 format of the NPL will be a bigger challenge.
Pawan bats in the middle order and is also a valuable bowler. Adil was once one of Nepal’s best all-rounders but may take time to regain his peak form. Former national team player Monty Desai is expected to play a key role in guiding his comeback. The fact that all franchises showed strong interest in these four players by bidding the highest prices reflects their potential.
Auction Results and Team Placements
- Pawan Sarraf was sold for NPR 1.5 million to Karnali Yaks through the draft.
- Mohammad Adil Alam became the highest-paid player in the mini auction, receiving bids from all eight franchises. Ultimately, Kathmandu Gorkhaj secured him through the draft. His base price was NPR 1 million, and after competitive bidding up to NPR 1.5 million, he was won by Gorkhaj.
- Kathmandu Gorkhaj, unlucky with 12 “lucky draws” last season, finally secured Adil, one of the most awaited players this time.
- Pawan’s base price was NPR 1 million, and he attracted bids from Karnali Yaks, Lumbini Lions, Biratnagar Kings, and Chitwan Rhinos. Karnali made their first purchase in this auction by securing Pawan.
- Wicketkeeper Arjun Saud was acquired by Chitwan Rhinos through the draft for NPR 1.5 million. He had attracted bids from Karnali Yaks, Biratnagar Kings, and Chitwan. His base price was NPR 1 million.
- Dev Khanal and Hemant Dhami were also sold through the draft. Dev attracted a bid of NPR 1.5 million and was bought by Chitwan Rhinos. Previously, he played for Karnali Yaks and played important innings in two matches.
- Surya Tamang was contracted by Biratnagar Kings for NPR 1 million. Last season, he played for Lumbini Lions for NPR 1.5 million but was released this year. Biratnagar was the only franchise to bid for him at the base price.
- Nepal Under-19 captain Dhami was contracted by Sudurpaschim Royals for this season.
- In category B, Hemant Dhami had a base price of NPR 500,000 and attracted bids from Pokhara, Lumbini, Sudurpaschim, and Janakpur. He was eventually sold for NPR 1 million.
- Wicketkeeper Dilip Nath, formerly of Pokhara Avengers, joined Lumbini Lions for NPR 1 million for the second NPL season.
- Left-handed all-rounder Santosh Yadav joined Kathmandu Gorkhaj through a lucky draw. He was bid on by Kathmandu Gorkhaj, Lumbini Lions, and Karnali Yaks at a maximum price of NPR 1 million before going to Kathmandu in the lucky draw.
- Janakpur Bolts secured Aditya Mahtal through a lucky draw in the ‘C’ category after bidding wars with Sudurpaschim Royals up to NPR 500,000.
- Similarly, Lumbini Lions contracted Vishal Patel in the ‘C’ category after winning the lucky draw against Pokhara Avengers, with bids reaching NPR 500,000.