Binod Pandey and Kanchan Adhikari spoke with Nepal Cricket Association Secretary and former national team captain Paras Khadka about the journey to the finals of 'Nepal Premier League: Season 2':

How was your experience reaching the final of NPL-2?

Cricket, that too under floodlights. This shows where we were just two and a half months ago, where we have arrived now, considering the current situation of our state. The history of Nepali cricket, the success of last season's NPL and the expectations created after it, amidst all this, this second edition has become even bigger.

Compared to last year, there is a five-fold increase in audience and response this year. What I always say is that NPL is not just a competition with two editions, it was 'in the making'. It is not only visible in the results seen on the field, but also in the structural development.

We have spent 20-25 years on this field. Yesterday's TU Cricket Ground has reached a state where it can be called a 'stadium' today. We have come to the point where we used to watch cricket sitting on the field, on the grass, but today we have come to the point where we can watch it sitting in the stands. Also, all this has been possible due to the love of Nepali cricket fans, the contribution of owners, sponsors, and the work done by the state and security agencies as a top priority.

We have received support from all stakeholders and agencies. And, looking at the determination and initiative taken by the Nepal Cricket Association, there is not much to be successful now. I have had the opportunity to see both as a cricket player and as a CAN official. We are still in the initial stages of cricket development. There are many things to do and improve. However, we have many limitations. We are working to take cricket to a higher level and create a national identity. 

NPL is not limited to Nepal alone. It has had an impact on Nepalis in every household, every corner, in the country and abroad. Foreign players are also very happy with the environment here. All this cannot be done in a day - it takes time. 

From both the roles of a cricketer and an administrator, how do you view the journey from grass to 'parapit' to floodlights in four to four and a half months?

Cricket was going on till four months ago. As soon as that was over, the government, especially the Ministry of Urban Development and everyone involved in the installation of floodlights, supported us. Sports in Nepal are sometimes viewed through a political lens, but I do not feel such negative interference in cricket.

It does not seem like anyone, any party, has viewed cricket in Nepal with any wrong thinking in any way. That is why our stadium was built with everyone's cooperation. It is commendable and exemplary. We have been here since the foundation was dug. The situation here is unbelievable. The NPL was starting from the 17th, we were burying floodlight poles until the 13th.

The Cricket Association coordinated all this process. But the association was not really involved in it. The tender was issued by the government. We played a facilitating role for everyone. Everyone who was involved in this construction process. Everyone was told that it should be completed on time. Even though the money was stopped, they kept working.

In the second edition, there was a mentality that floodlights should also be installed, stands should also be installed, and the work was completed. All this is the result of the ‘respect’ and ‘hope’ earned by Nepal Cricket. The way the government and construction companies worked day and night on this stadium is not enough to praise it. What it shows is that many things can be done on a fast track. Kirtipur Stadium is an example of how anything can be done quickly if you have the willpower. 

What did you see as the good side of NPL-2 and what do you think needs to be improved?

The best part is that this ground now really looks like a ‘stadium’. Parapets, stands, zone-wise divisions, separate gates, ticketing system – all have been improved. Earlier, after entering through one gate, you had to sit on the grass and exit through another gate. Now we have built four gates. Security was given priority amidst the crowd. Basic infrastructure for spectators – like toilets – has been built, but it is not enough.

Now, even though it should have been increased, it has been adjusted due to lack of time. We did not have time to build as much as we wanted. This should be done in the second phase. We had to see how ready the ground was. Even so, it was done. The association did a lot of work using its own resources. We were not just organizing the NPL, because we also needed to send a message to the world that ‘Nepal is ready’ by including foreign players.

We fulfilled all our responsibilities. There were so many challenges on the field. Today, cricket fans need passes, everyone wants to come to the stadium and watch cricket, which is a good thing. People have come here for entertainment, to support their team. Today, cricket is not just a game - it has become a medium of entertainment. With good light, good sound, and a good environment, when fans support their own team, it is becoming a culture.

After the NPL was held last year, in terms of the province, the value of the province has developed, the feeling that my place, the team of my birthplace has developed. We have succeeded in developing a sports culture. Right now, we are limited to Kathmandu. Let's hope that someday the NPL will also go to the provinces. Province-based participation has increased people's local identity, feelings and emphasis. This sport is very important for the development of culture.

What do you see that needs to be improved?

There are many aspects that need to be improved. Bathrooms, fencing, VIP stands, ground management - all of these must be improved in the next phase. Our resources are limited. When people read and see in newspapers and social media, it seems that crores have been earned. This has been spent on cricket, from making a flex to fertilizer. From electronic boards to player management, everything has been spent. What we have decided and tried to do is being fulfilled. I think we are moving in the right direction. But there is a lot of work to be done. The international affiliation that we have been able to get is a good thing.

How long does it take to take the game outside Kathmandu?

Let alone how long it will take, the Cricket Association does not have the budget to build the infrastructure. First of all, a stadium with full facilities must be completed in Kathmandu. If at least one stadium is complete, then we can lay the foundation to build other stadiums. Then only the revenue generated by that stadium can build stadiums in other provinces. If a 10,000-capacity floodlit stadium can be built for 90 crores, then it is possible across the country. But everything has to be done in a phased, planned manner.

Are you facing criticism for increasing the ticket price?

The association had already set such a price for the round robin, saying that these seats are premium. Even when you come to the ground, the seats are all the same, but we had only set the seats. There are 6 zones, hospitality and sponsor zones for the qualifier-2 and final match, all the seats are the same. The seating is the same, but our mentality is that I sat in VIP, I sat in premium. If we look at it from the association's perspective, we have to look at it as income as well.

We have succeeded in developing a culture of paying even a cricket fan. We have not increased the ticket prices for Qualifier-2 and the final, we have divided the empty zones. There is no difference between watching the game from a premium seat and watching it from a regular zone. We have only set the price so that it can be set up for the final game and also generate good income financially. The association's expenses are very high. Whatever we earn is spent on cricket. We also need to make a financially sustainable model, because the cricket association has many places to spend. The ticket price may not be easy for everyone, but that money does not go to the account of the individual - it is directly invested in the development of cricket. Now the ticket price will not increase. Due to the love and support of the fans, today we have come from the situation of 'watching under an umbrella on the grass' to 'watching in the stands'. Umpiring has become a bit controversial, what are you trying to improve it? Umpiring decisions are a part of the game, they are even more important in cricket. The umpire's decision is what the winning team thinks is right if it is in their favor, otherwise it may seem wrong. There are many areas for improvement. There is a huge demand for technology now. Everyone is saying DRS-DRS. DRS is expensive, but it will be necessary in the future. Even if you Google it, you will know how expensive this technology is. It costs about 17-18 lakh rupees ($10-12 thousand). In this way, 32 games cost about 70-80 million. 

We have a lot to do. Our priority now is to make the league sustainable. We need to invest the income from the competition in the structure of domestic cricket rather than DRS. We get very scared and overwhelmed. We feel like something has happened. Now we have consolidated the achievements of years into one structure. We have a lot to do. There are aspects to improve. We cannot blame only the umpires, the discipline of the players, the culture of accepting decisions is also equally necessary. We need to look at both sides. Overall, we have strict umpiring. There are many initiatives that we need to take on this from the association. It needs to be improved.

The performance of domestic players outside the national team has been somewhat weak, do you see the need for an additional T-20 league besides the NPL?

If you look at the calendar, it is very busy. We do not have enough time to hold competitions. Other domestic leagues are being held. We are also keeping an eye on that, watching the performance of the players. This is a premium competition for us to hold national-level T-20s. Last year we were a bit too busy.

We were busy with the World Cricket League and other international competitions. In the meantime, we are holding the NPL rather than holding a national-level league. We have almost prepared our calendar until 2026. Our goal is to connect small leagues in a structured way and take their performance to the national team. The NPL is a big stage. Those who play well here get a big opportunity. But sometimes a player gets a chance, someone gets a catch, a six in one ball, and that can be a moment that changes a player's career.

Nepal was supposed to host the Women's Twenty-20 World Cup qualifiers next month, but there was confusion due to the country's recent situation. What message has the NPL given now to bring in foreign competitions?