As the names echoed through the draft hall in Colombo on Monday afternoon, Nepali cricket once again found itself in the spotlight of franchise cricket.
The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 Player Draft brought positive news for Nepal as three national team stars secured contracts for the upcoming season. Their selections highlighted the growing reputation of Nepali cricketers in franchise leagues and marked another significant step in the country's rise on the international cricket stage.
The sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League player draft was held in Colombo with 421 players available for selection, including 242 overseas cricketers. Five franchises assembled their squads for the tournament, which is scheduled to run from July 17 to August 8 across Sri Lanka.
Among the Nepali players in the draft, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee and opener Kushal Bhurtel earned contracts.
Sandeep Lamichhane was picked by Jaffna Kings securing a contract worth USD 20,000. One of Nepal's most experienced franchise cricketers, Sandeep entered the draft with an outstanding T20 record and remains one of the country's biggest cricketing exports. His experience in leagues across the world made him one of the most sought-after Associate players in the draft.
Jaffna Kings also secured the services of Dipendra Singh Airee in the Associate Stars Category for USD 15,000. Dipendra has established himself as one of Nepal's most dependable all-rounders with his ability to contribute in every department of the game. His finishing ability, economical bowling and sharp fielding have made him a key figure for the national team.
Explosive opener Kushal Bhurtel was selected by Colombo Caps in the Associate Stars Category, also for USD 15,000. Bhurtel's value has continued to rise following a series of aggressive performances for Nepal, including his remarkable 129-run innings against China in the Asia Qualifier. His attacking style at the top of the order makes him a valuable T20 asset.
The Associate Stars Category was introduced to ensure representation from ICC Associate nations and continues to provide emerging cricketers with opportunities on larger franchise platforms. Under the LPL draft structure, Associate Stars players carry a fixed value of USD 15,000, while Gold Category overseas players are valued at USD 30,000.
However, despite earning contracts, the Nepali trio are unlikely to be available for the majority of the tournament.
The Lanka Premier League is scheduled to run from July 17 to August 8, but Nepal will be involved in a crucial ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series against Namibia and the Netherlands between July 21 and July 29. The series forms an important part of Nepal's qualification pathway towards the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, meaning national commitments are expected to take priority.
As a result, Sandeep, Dipendra and Bhurtel could miss a significant portion of the LPL league stage while representing Nepal in international cricket. The scheduling overlap presents a challenge for both the players and their franchises, who may have to wait until the latter stages of the tournament to gain access to their Nepali recruits.
The Lanka Premier League has continued to grow as one of South Asia's major T20 competitions, attracting international stars and providing opportunities for emerging players from around the cricketing world. For Nepali cricket, having three players drafted once again reflects the increasing demand for the country's talent in franchise cricket.
While franchise opportunities await in Sri Lanka, Nepal's immediate focus remains on the World Cup qualification race. Before they can fully turn their attention to the LPL, Nepal's stars will first have an important job to complete in national colors.