Eight of Nepal's top cricketers have been selected as marquee players, and their team assignments will be determined through a lucky draw tomorrow in Kathmandu. The marquee players include national team captain Rohit Paudel, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, fast bowler Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, and Kushal Malla. These players will lead their respective teams in the upcoming NPL, which will run from December 16 to January 6. Each of the eight franchise teams will select their marquee player via a lucky draw. The teams will then sign these players to a minimum three-year contract, with the option to retain or release them at the end of each season in consultation with CAN. This initiative not only aims to bolster team identity but also ensures stability and continuity in player rosters over successive seasons. The order for the lucky draw has also been set, with Kathmandu picking first, followed by Pokhara, Chitwan, Biratnagar, Lumbini, Janakpur, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim. This tournament marks a major milestone for Nepali cricket, expanding from previous leagues with only six teams to eight, each representing a major city across Nepal. Earlier, the franchise auction saw Pokhara purchased for the highest bid of NPR 35.7 million, followed closely by Kathmandu at NPR 33.3 million. Karnali went for the lowest price of NPR 11.7 million, signalling varying levels of investment across teams. The NPL, expanding to include eight teams representing major cities across Nepal, marks a significant leap forward in domestic cricket. With a format that includes a round-robin followed by playoffs, fans can expect intense rivalries and high-stakes cricketing action from November 30 to December 21, 2024.