Mohammad Adil Alam's Return to Cricket Stuns NPL Auction
Mohammad Adil Alam, a prominent cricketer making a comeback after over two years, captured the attention of all eight franchises during the auction for the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). His return to the cricketing world was marked by an intense bidding war, as he became the sole focus of the event.
Alam, a Category A player, was one of 164 cricketers listed for the auction. The selection process included 150 players—eight in Category A, 35 in Category B, and 107 in Category C. On the day of the auction, an additional 14 players were added, with one in Category A, two in Category B, and 11 in Category C. This expansion reflected the growing interest in the league and the talent pool available.
When a player reached their maximum price, a lucky draw was conducted among the interested teams. This rule applied to all players who were sold at their highest bid, including Alam. When the maximum price of Rs1.5 million was reached for Alam, all eight franchises showed interest, leading to a dramatic lucky draw. Ultimately, Kathmandu Gorkhas emerged victorious, securing his services for the team.
Alam, also known as Aadil Ansari, last played on January 6, 2023, for Janakpur Royals in the Nepal T20 League. He made his debut for the national team in T20Is on March 31, 2022, and in ODIs on June 11 of the same year. As an all-rounder, he represented Nepal in six ODIs and eight T20Is before being arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on charges of spot fixing at the Nepal T20 League on January 23, 2023. He was acquitted of these charges by the Kathmandu District Court on March 25 last year, sparking anticipation for his return to the field.
The auctioneer, Durga Nath Subedi, also known as Devendra, added excitement to the event by taking his time to reveal the winning team. When the dice showed Kathmandu Gorkhas, the team’s table erupted in celebration. Alam became the Gorkhas' final player in the auction, joining as the fifth player and the only one from Category A in the squad. Before his addition, the franchise had already secured two players each from the B and C categories.
Category B players Santosh Yadav and Aakash Tripathi joined the Gorkhas for Rs1 million and Rs700,000 respectively, while Uttam Thapa Magar and Tul Bahadur Thapa from Category C were bought for Rs300,000 and Rs200,000. Despite spending Rs3.7 million in the auction, the Gorkhas faced moments of sadness when other teams celebrated their successful bids for other players.
Chitwan Rhinos spent the highest amount in the auction, totaling Rs3.9 million. They acquired two Category A players, Dev Khanal and Arjun Saud, at the maximum price, along with Category B's Bipin Rawal and two Category C players, Bipin Acharya and Ranjit Kumar, at base prices. Lumbini Lions spent Rs3.2 million for five players, including three from Category B and two from Category C.
Sudurpaschim Royals and Biratnagar Kings were the other teams that purchased five players each. The Royals spent Rs2.4 million for three Category B players and two Category C players, while the Kings spent Rs2.7 million for all five players at base prices.
Defending champions Janakpur Bolts, along with Karnali Yaks and Pokhara Avengers, picked only four players each. The Bolts spent Rs1.975 million, the Yaks spent Rs2.9 million, and the Avengers spent Rs1.1 million for four players, all at base prices.
As the franchises prepare for the next phase of the NPL, they will now focus on acquiring foreign players. Each team can sign up to six foreign players but can only field four in a match. The second season of the NPL is expected to take place in November and December, with the Cricket Association of Nepal anticipating the completion of the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, which will host Nepal's first-ever game under floodlights.