The Cricket Association of Nepal is still waiting for written approval from the International Cricket Council before Nepal Premier League teams can officially announce their remaining overseas players.

CAN secretary Paras Khadka said the board has already sent the documents the ICC asked for and is waiting for a formal decision. “Teams are trying to bring in good players. But now that the players are in contact, the issue of announcing them will come only after the official sanction comes,” he said. “Most of the teams are waiting for this. Let’s hope that positive news comes as soon as possible.”

His comments, given to the national news agency RSS and reported on 8 October by Kantipur and other Nepali outlets, come less than three weeks before the tournament starts. NPL Season 3, the Siddhartha Bank NPL, runs from 26 October to 21 November at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Some English versions of the RSS report listed 22 October to 22 November; the published fixture list does not. Eight teams will play 32 matches. Defending champions Lumbini Lions open against 2025 runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals on 26 October at 4:30 pm.

The approval matters because Nepal is an associate member of the ICC. A domestic league needs the ICC’s written go-ahead, on top of CAN’s own clearance, once it includes more than four current or recent players from full-member countries. Overseas players also usually need permission from their home board before they can play abroad, and that permission is linked to the event being approved. A late decision would leave teams little time to replace a player whose board says no.

Janakpur Bolts chief executive Niroj Khatiwada said his side is waiting too. “Hopefully, the ICC will soon give international recognition to the NPL. Then it will be easier to bring in more foreign stars that we need,” he said.

A few signings are already public. Kathmandu Gorkhas announced David Warner on 15 September, and Chitwan Rhinos confirmed Sikandar Raza in late August. Reports of Khadka’s comments also named Moeen Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed among players being pursued. Those two have not been confirmed by the teams involved. CAN has said further announcements should follow the ICC decision.

Khadka also tied the overseas intake to sports tourism. He said about 55 to 60 international players, umpires, and commentators, plus 60 to 70 other visitors, left earlier editions with a good impression of Nepal. He said well-known players talking about the country could help both the league’s profile and visitor interest and that the tournament was a chance to show Nepal can stage an international event safely.

CAN described the paperwork as being in its final stage in mid-September. On 5 October, Khadka said the feedback had been positive but that written approval was still needed before any official announcement. As of 9 October, that written approval had not been confirmed.