NPL Players 2026 Auction: Full Squads, Prices & Key Updates

The NPL Season 3 auction on July 6, 2026, set the squads for Nepal's biggest T20 league. Franchises mixed retained cores with targeted auction buys — most dramatically Lumbini Lions' signing of Aasif Sheikh for NPR 20 lakh after Janakpur Bolts released him.

In short, the auction drew 347 registrations, shortlisted 155 players, sold 37 (with 118 unsold), and topped out at NPR 20 lakh, ahead of a tournament running from October 26 to November 21, 2026.

For the full sold list, purse tracker, and team-by-team breakdown, see the NPL Auction 2026 hub and our retained players & full squads article.

What happened in the NPL Players 2026 auction?

The NPL Players 2026 auction took place on July 6 in Kathmandu. Each franchise could retain up to seven players (including one marquee) before bidding on the shortlist. Category A bidding produced the day's headlines; Category B and C filled domestic depth.

Teams focused on versatile match-winners rather than volume spending — reflected in a selective sell-through of 37 players from 155 shortlisted.

Why is NPL Players 2026 gaining so much attention?

Season 3 runs from October 26 to November 21, 2026, featuring 8 teams and 32 matches under a single round-robin and playoff format at the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.

Defending champions Lumbini Lions added Aasif Sheikh behind the stumps, while runners-up Sudurpaschim Royals kept Dipendra Singh Airee's core intact. Janakpur Bolts — the 2024 champions — took the auction's biggest structural risk by releasing Sheikh and rebuilding with Trit Raj Das and Category B/C depth.

Which teams built the strongest squads after the auction?

Team	Key Retentions	Top Auction Buys
Janakpur Bolts	Lalit Rajbanshi (marquee)	Trit Raj Das (15L)
Kathmandu Gurkhas	Karan KC (marquee)	Category C depth (base price)
Karnali Yaks	Sompal Kami	Shubh Kansakar (10L)
Chitwan Rhinos	Kushal Malla	Bibek Kumar Yadav (15L)
Lumbini Lions	Rohit Paudel	Aasif Sheikh (20L)
Sudurpaschim Royals	Dipendra Singh Airee	Dipak Bohara (10L)
Pokhara Avengers	Kushal Bhurtel	Arjun Gharti (15L)
Biratnagar Kings	Sandeep Lamichhane, Lokesh Bam	Rupesh Kumar Singh (15L)

Lumbini Lions made the biggest single splash with Aasif Sheikh. Janakpur Bolts spent the most overall (NPR 41.25 lakh) while rebuilding after releasing their former marquee.

How are players categorized in the NPL auction?

Category A: Base NPR 10 lakh — five shortlisted players; top sale reached NPR 20 lakh
Category B: Base NPR 5 lakh — 27 shortlisted
Category C: Base NPR 2 lakh — 123 shortlisted; deepest pool for squad depth

This structure lets franchises balance a headline buy with domestic cover. See the NPL 2026 schedule for how those squads will be tested from mid-November.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How many players were shortlisted for NPL Players 2026?

A total of 155 players were shortlisted from 347 registered candidates, split across Category A (5), B (27), and C (123).

Q2: When was the NPL Players 2026 auction held?

The auction took place on July 6, 2026, in Kathmandu. All eight franchises finalised remaining squad slots after the June retention window.

Q3: How many teams are participating in NPL 2026?

There are eight teams competing in the tournament. Each side plays a single round-robin league stage before the playoffs — 32 matches in total.

Q4: What were the highest bids in the auction?

The top sale was Aasif Sheikh to Lumbini Lions for NPR 20 lakh. Four other Category A players sold for NPR 15 lakh each.

Q5: Can unsold players still join the league?

Yes, unsold players can still enter the tournament through mid-season transfers or replacements, depending on team requirements and player availability.

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