The first edition of the NPL was in the news because of three people. First, the arrival of the great cricketer Brian Lara to Nepal. Second, Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan participating from Karnali Yaks. Third, the commentary of former English cricketer Darren Gough in the NPL. There were many other noteworthy references in the first edition. But these three topics were at the peak of the discussion.

The appearance of the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur changed as the second edition arrived. Chairs were installed on the parapet. And, the floodlights were also turned on, making the field dazzling. The floodlights lit up Nepali cricket in Kirtipur. Not only did South African cricketer Faf du Plessis feature in this year's NPL, but also the first-ever Nepali language commentary in the NPL. 

The NPL has been expanding its identity in the world of cricket in recent years. The attraction of the competition is not limited to the competition on the field, the broadcast quality, presentation style and international voices are also taking the NPL to new heights. Just as the participation of foreign commentators has added new energy to the competition, making it more professional and global, similarly, the entry of Nepali commentary has also brought hope and positivity to the domestic cricket circle. 

In the first season, there were 6 foreigners as commentators, including Iris Andrew Lenard, who is well-known among Nepali cricket fans, along with former England cricketer Gough, former South African cricketer HD Ackerman, former Canadian cricketer Monali Patel, former Indian player Sridharan Sriram and Indian journalist Mikhail Vaswani. 

Iris Lenard, who has become synonymous with Nepali cricket commentary in recent times, says that Nepali language commentary has provided relief to Nepali cricket fans who have been constrained by language limitations due to English commentary. He says, ‘There are also viewers in Nepal who do not understand English, who love Nepali cricket. It is a pleasure for them to start commentary in Nepali language.’ 

Commentators including West Indies World Cup winner Carlos Brathwaite, Mikhail Vaswani and former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra, who came to commentate in the NPL this time along with Andrew, did not tire of praising Nepal and Nepali. Most commentators wore dhakatopi. They were heard talking a lot about the hospitality of the Nepalis, the scenic views here, and the food during the match. There is no doubt that the discussion of Nepal in the competition broadcast on Star Sports and the commentary in English will have a global impact. 

India's former opening batsman Chopra, who has more than 10 million followers on all social media, has described the natural beauty of Nepal well. He has written, 'Heaven is a myth, Nepal is true.' He has also praised the Nepali's passion for cricket, saying that it feels like coming home when he comes to Nepal. He has written, 'Nepalese breathe cricket.' 

Akash says, 'I am truly blessed to be coming to this beautiful country. The environment here, the people here, and the energy here are unique.' He has also praised the growing popularity of cricket in Nepal and the management of the NPL. According to Akash, the time spent in Nepal has become one of the beautiful moments of his life.

Overall, foreign commentators have brought the techniques, analytical style and informative presentation learned from international cricket to the NPL. From ball-to-ball updates, game strategies, field setups to the individual abilities of the players, their perspective is deep and fact-based. This has made the game easier and more interesting for the audience to understand.

When the voices of world-famous or experienced commentators resonate in the NPL broadcast, the audience feels like a big competition. Andrew says, ‘Such voices take the competition out of the ‘local’ scope and give it a sense of ‘international’ appeal. It also increases the brand value of the NPL. However, to give a sense of Nepaliness, commentary in Nepali is needed.’

He also said that he has started using some Nepali vocabulary to give a hint of Nepaliness in his commentary. In addition, as soon as he gets free time from commentary, he reaches the audience. The audience is equally enthusiastic about taking pictures and videos with Andrew, who wears a Dhaka topi. For this reason, he has already visited Nepal for the 35th time. Stating that he is still not satisfied, he said, ‘No matter how many times I visit Nepal, my heart never gets tired. Moreover, the joy of coming for cricket is special. I am also learning Nepali. But, I will not be able to do commentary in Nepali in the near future!’ 

Due to foreign commentators, viewers outside Nepal also find ease in broadcasting. Analysis in English and extensive cricket knowledge help connect international cricket fans with the game. Thus, NPL is a competition that has the potential to attract foreign viewers, investors and partners. 

Collaborating with foreign commentators is a great learning opportunity for Nepali commentators. This time, the Nepali commentary of NPL was presented on Kantipur Max HD 2. Nepali viewers got to listen and watch the commentary of NPL in the voices of Sachin Timalsina, Kiran Bhattarai and Hemraj Hamal. Timalsina, Hamal and Bhattarai are not new names in Nepali commentary. Hamal also does commentary on football and volleyball. 

‘New history is being made in the NPL today. Nepali commentary has now been added to the NPL with the match between Biratnagar Kings and the defending champions Janakpur Bolts. We welcome everyone here to this commentary, Kiran and Hemraj, I am Sachin,’ Timalsina still remembers speaking in Nepali. Sachin, who recently shared the commentary box with Ian Bishop in the three-match T20 International series between the West Indies and Nepal, believes that commentary will be helpful in explaining the game and sharing the many activities on the field through voice, rather than knowledge of the game. 

He said that foreign commentators make the broadcast entertaining by incorporating diverse styles, humor, interesting facts about cricket, and the players’ experiences around the world, and that he too will follow that. Sachin, who started learning cricket with the inspiration of his grandmother, played regional-level cricket, but cricket commentary made him international. 

Kiran Bhattarai, who played cricket while studying in Australia, started commentating while he was there. Even after returning to Nepal, he commented in English. He says, ‘I enjoy T-20 more than other formats of cricket. Since the audience needs constant information and entertainment in T-20, we put in more energy during the commentary.’ However, he sometimes gets frustrated when he doesn’t know the right Nepali word. Most of the words/terms of cricket are in English. It is difficult to translate them exactly. Those who do not have such a good vocabulary cannot do excellent commentary.

The audience has also been excited after the commentary in Nepali started. ‘This really started to feel like a big league now,’ said Roshan Lama from Kavre enthusiastically. For him, foreign commentary was not just a matter of language, it was a sign of experience, status and international recognition. As they presented every run, every wicket, every catch in their own style, the NPL was starting to be pushed beyond the limits of the word ‘local’. Now, Roshan has finally found a sense of belonging in cricket, which Nepali commentators present in a way that is understandable. 

Hemraj Hamal used to think that one day he would speak like that when he saw and heard foreign commentators speaking the language of cricket in the commentary booth. Their past experience, flow of the game, strategic analysis, interesting stories and laughter mixed in with their partnership would win his heart. For Hamal, who had always been eager to become a commentator, that was not collaboration but training. Hamal, who has since grown up, has now become a famous commentator in Nepal. 

When asked why his T-20 cricket commentary is so energetic, Hamal says, ‘Not only is the pace fast in T-20, the audience’s attention also shifts just as fast. The humor, facts, and small and interesting inside stories of international cricket that I add to my presentation make the broadcast entertaining and fresh. For that, enthusiasm is needed.’

Since the inception of the NPL, he wanted to cross his borders and become known to the international audience. Or rather, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) wanted and wants to take it forward as an international competition. The presence of foreign commentators and the expansion of Nepali commentators have become an important turning point in that journey, as well as a historical link. The arrival of foreign commentators in the NPL is not only 'excitement', it is also a symbol of the growth, confidence and courage of Nepali cricket to stand on the world stage. While the players are fighting for runs on the field, these voices are busy building the image of the NPL outside the field. But Nepali commentators have seen the need for coordination in this.

Kiran, Sachin and Hemraj say in unison, 'Foreign commentators have their place for the professional height of Nepali cricket, but it is time for us to think about the career development of commentators in Nepal as well.'

Sachin and Kiran have experience of commentating in English before this. Andrew also admits that there is no shortage of commentators in Nepal. He says, ‘I have worked with other Nepali commentators like Paresh Lohani, Sharad Veshavkar. They have a lot of potential. CAN should utilize it.’ Virat Rayamajhi, Sumit Timalsina, Bivas Jaiswal are the voices that are seen and heard in domestic cricket commentary. 

Nepali commentators also agree with Andrew’s sentiment. Commentary in local languages ​​is necessary for the expansion of the competition along with international ones. They are the only ones looking for an opportunity for this. Because recently, commentary in the Indian Premier League cricket of neighboring India has also started being in regional languages.