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FC Chitwan has secured Nepalese international forward Anjan Bista as their marquee player for the upcoming third season of the Nepal Super League (NSL) 2025. Bista, one of Nepal’s most accomplished footballers, brings extensive experience, skill, and leadership to FC Chitwan. Known for his goal-scoring prowess and attacking versatility, his inclusion strengthens the club’s ambitions for a successful NSL campaign.

“We are thrilled to welcome Anjan Bista to FC Chitwan. His track record, professionalism, and dedication to the sport make him an invaluable asset to our squad,” said FC Chitwan President Sachin Dhakal. “His presence will not only enhance our attacking play but also inspire our players and fans as we aim for a successful season.” Bista has been a key figure in Nepalese football, representing the national team with distinction and playing a crucial role in major international competitions. His ability to create scoring opportunities and lead from the front makes him a formidable force in Nepalese football.

“I am excited to join FC Chitwan and take on this new challenge in the Nepal Super League,” said Bista. “I look forward to working with my new teammates and contributing to the club’s success.”

I won’t go into the details of Subash Shahi’s early life. As a cricket fan, the first time I met Subash ‘dai’ was on a small paddy-field-like ground in Minbhawan, near Baneshwor. After school, my friends and I would gather there to play cricket. Those were the best days of our lives. I had a bat wrapped in black tape, and that was enough. Having a red tennis ball wasn’t a big deal back then. If we had a bat, cricket was easy to play. Some open spaces in Baneshwor, which weren’t yet developed, allowed us to enjoy the game.

Subash dai caught my attention with his smiley face. Even now, you’ll find most of his photos with a big smile. He was loved by everyone on the ground. His bowling action reminded me of Michael Kasprowicz from Australia. If you don’t know Kasprowicz, let me tell you he was the bowler who once made Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, sit on the bench for almost a year during their dominant era. Subash dai’s action was similar to Kasprowicz’s, though, of course, he wasn’t as fast. He got many wickets because he was older and more experienced than the rest of us (laughs).

Here’s a funny thing Subash dai probably had no idea we even played together back then. I shared this story with him when we met again after almost a decade, and at first, he didn’t remember those moments. But later, the memory came back to him.

So, why am I writing about Subash dai? Many might ask, “Why not write about other cricketers who’ve made cricket famous in Nepal?” But in the context of Nepali cricket, few people have invested so much money and effort into its development purely out of love for the game. At the top of that list is Shahi.

Born and raised in Dhangadi, Shahi always dreamed of making Dhangadi a hub for producing young cricketers. He started his own cricket academy in his hometown to achieve this dream. Coming from a prestigious political family, his father was the founder of SPA College in Dhangadi. The college not only has an excellent reputation for academics but is also known for producing local cricketers with its outstanding facilities.

A turning point in Nepali cricket history was when Nepal qualified for its first-ever Men’s T20 World Cup in 2014. This event united the entire country. Every young kid dreamed of playing for Nepal one day. While cricket was gaining recognition, the lack of infrastructure and proper pay for players was a big issue.

As a passionate cricket fan, Shahi closely observed all of this. In 2017, he came up with the idea of a Franchise Cricket League the first of its kind in Nepal. It wasn’t easy back then, as getting paid well for playing cricket was beyond any player’s dreams. But he initiated the process, held player auctions, and divided them into six franchise teams. That’s how the Dhangadi Premier League was born.

All the top Nepali cricket players participated in the tournament, which was covered by the media and broadcast live on television. Superstars like Jonty Rhodes even came to promote DPL. Shahi, was the mastermind behind the event. The first edition was a massive hit. Crowds filled the stadium, and it became one of the most-watched events on Nepali TV at the time. This inspired others to invest in cricket, and Subash deserves full credit for stepping in at such a critical time in Nepali cricket history.

Sadly, the tournament only lasted for two editions, but its impact was huge. His efforts set the foundation for other cricket initiatives in Nepal.

Apart from cricket, Shahi has also invested in football. He owns Dhangadi FC, a franchise football team that has performed well in the Nepal Super League. But his biggest role yet is being appointed as the Director of Fapla Cricket Stadium, a 40,000-seater stadium under construction. Once completed, it will set new standards for Nepali cricket. Subash is the right man for the job, and we hope the stadium will be completed under his leadership.

Dhangadi is already the powerhouse of Nepali cricket, and with Subash’s efforts, it might truly become the cricketing capital of Nepal.

Nepal’s rising tennis star, 13-year-old Shivali Gurung, has secured a sponsorship package worth Rs 2m for 2025, led by Bhat Bhateni Supermarket, Nepal’s largest retail chain. Currently ranked #12 in the Asian Tennis Federation’s U14 Girls’ category, Gurung is on track to break into the top 10 this year, representing Nepal on the global stage.  

The sponsorship, contributed by prominent brands and organizations such as Trust Nepal Overseas, Transweld Nepal, Dirk & Brown, Tipco, Infinity, Pepe Pizza, and Bhat Bhateni Holding, will fund her training, travel, and participation in international tournaments. Key contributors include Trust Nepal Overseas and Transweld Nepal, each pledging Rs 500,000 annually, and Bhat Bhateni Supermarket providing Rs 180,000 alongside goods worth Rs 100,000 through its holding company.  

Kalyan Gurung, Director of Bhat Bhateni Supermarket, emphasized the importance of investing in young talent, stating, “At Bhat Bhateni, we are committed to youth development and creating future athletes who will represent Nepal on the global stage. Supporting Shivali is part of our vision to inspire and nurture talent.” Similarly, Rabin Gurung, Chairperson of Trust Nepal Overseas, hailed Shivali’s dedication, adding, “Her talent embodies Nepal’s excellence, and we are excited to be part of her journey.”  

Expressing her gratitude, she said, “This sponsorship is a life-changing opportunity. I am thankful to all my sponsors for their generous support, which allows me to fully focus on my game and chase my dream of becoming Asia’s top U14 player. I hope to make Nepal proud.”  

Already an accomplished athlete, Gurung has won the U18 Nepal Championship, reached the ITF World Tennis Tour J30 finals, and delivered stellar performances in international tournaments across Asia.

The anthem of the Janakpur Bolts, ‘Aail Baani Cup Jitey’, in the Bhojpuri language, translates to “We have come here to win the title.” True to its spirit, the anthem’s essence has been realized.

In a stunning climax to the first season of Nepal Premier League (NPL), Janakpur triumphed over Sudurpaschim Royals by five wickets with four balls to spare at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on Saturday. The victory marked a remarkable redemption for the Bolts, who had lost their previous two encounters with the Royals earlier in the tournament. However, when it mattered most, Janakpur seized the moment to claim the championship trophy in front of a packed and vibrant crowd. 

With this win, Janakpur claimed the tournament’s top prize of Rs 11m, while the Royals, who finished as runners-up, received Rs 5.1m. Karnali Yaks, who placed third after their loss in Qualifier 2, took home Rs 2.5m, and the Chitwan Rhinos, eliminated earlier in the playoffs, earned Rs 1.5m for finishing fourth.  

The Bolts had a rollercoaster journey to the title, marked by ups and downs. They began the league stage with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Biratnagar and followed it up with wins against Karnali, Pokhara, and Lumbini. A thrilling one-run victory over Lumbini was among their most memorable performances in the league. However, they also faced setbacks, losing to Sudurpaschim Royals and Chitwan Rhinos. Despite these losses, Janakpur secured second place in the points table with five wins from seven matches, earning a spot in the playoffs.  

In the playoffs, Janakpur faced Sudurpaschim in Qualifier 1 but suffered an eight-wicket loss. They bounced back strongly in Qualifier 2, defeating Karnali Yaks by two wickets in a nail-biting contest to book their place in the final. 

The final was all about Janakpur’s star performer, Lahiru Milantha, who delivered a Player of the Match-winning performance with a blistering 87 runs off just 49 balls. The wicketkeeper-batter anchored the Bolts’ chase of 185 runs with his commanding knock, laced with nine boundaries and four sixes. Milantha’s aggressive yet composed innings proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Winning the toss, the Royals opted to bat first, putting up a competitive total of 184/9 in their allotted 20 overs. The Royals’ innings was powered by a fine 69 off 43 balls from Saif Zaib, whose efforts throughout the tournament earned him the title of Player of the Tournament. Binod Bhandari also played a solid hand with 41 off 31 balls. Despite a strong start, the Royals faltered in the latter stages of the innings, losing wickets in quick succession to Janakpur’s disciplined bowling attack.

Kishore Mahato and Mohammad Mohsin were the pick of the bowlers for the Bolts, each claiming three wickets to restrict the Royals from reaching an even higher score. Lalit Rajbanshi was economical, giving away just 15 runs in his four overs and taking a crucial wicket.

Chasing 185, Janakpur Bolts got off to a flying start in the powerplay, scoring 71 runs without losing a wicket. Captain Aasif Sheikh set the tone with a quick-fire 33 off 19 balls before being dismissed at the end of the powerplay.

Milantha continued to dominate, receiving support from Harsh Thaker, who contributed a composed 30 not out off 24 balls. The duo stitched together a crucial 50-run partnership for the third wicket, taking the game away from the Royals. Despite losing wickets in the middle overs, Janakpur maintained the required run rate, thanks to Milantha’s brilliance.

The winning moment came in the 19.2 overs, with Thaker hitting the decisive runs, sparking wild celebrations among the Janakpur players and fans.

Sudurpaschim, who had dominated the league stage with seven wins in eight matches, missed out on the title despite their strong form. 

Sudurpaschim coach Jagat Tamata expressed his disappointment, saying the team fell short of their potential in the final. “The batting was going according to plan, and the power play went well. But we couldn’t capitalize in the last five overs despite having wickets in hand. We should have scored more runs,” he said. Tamata, however, congratulated Janakpur Bolts for their outstanding performance and praised the contributions of Sudurpaschim’s players. 

Sudurpaschim captain Dipendra Singh Airee echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the strong start his team had in the final but lamenting their failure to capitalize on it. “Everyone played well, and we had a good batting performance. However, our bowlers couldn’t perform up to expectations. Congratulations to Janakpur, especially Milantha and Aasif, for their great game,” Airee said.

The NPL 2024 featured several standout performers. Milantha of Janakpur was the tournament’s leading run-scorer, amassing 293 runs in 10 matches at an average of 32.55 and a strike rate of 130.8. Ravi Bopara of Chitwan Rhinos followed with 286 runs in eight matches at an average of 40.85, while Rohit Paudel of Lumbini Lions scored 279 runs in seven matches at an average of 39.85. Among the bowlers, Scott Kuggeleijn of Sudurpaschim Royals and Lalit Rajbanshi of Janakpur shared the top spot with 17 wickets each, while Sohail Tanvir of Chitwan Rhinos took 14 wickets.  

Some of the tournament’s most memorable bowling performances included William Bosisto’s remarkable 6/28 for Karnali against Pokhara and Sohail Tanvir’s 5/21 for Chitwan against Kathmandu. The highest team total came from Biratnagar, who scored 193/8 against Lumbini, while Sudurpaschim Royals registered a thrilling win with the highest margin of 90 runs against Biratnagar.  

The tournament saw several standout performances. Dipendra Singh Airi was declared the Best Nepali Player of the tournament and awarded a Chinese Omoda E-5 car worth Rs 6.2m. He scored 227 runs and took nine wickets in the competition. Similarly, Lalit Rajbanshi, who topped the wicket-takers’ list with 17 dismissals in 10 matches, was named the Best Bowler, receiving a cash prize of Rs 500,000 along with a bike. Sudurpaschim’s Saif Zaib, who amassed 275 runs and claimed 12 wickets, was awarded the Player of the Tournament and received Rs 500,000.

Another highlight was Karnali Yaks’ 16-year-old bowler Bipin Sharma, who was declared the Emerging Player for his 13 wickets in eight matches. He received a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a promising start to a bright career. He also got a scholarship worth Rs 1m.

Despite their disappointment in the final, Sudurpaschim coach Jagat Tamata reflected on the positives, noting the overwhelming support for cricket. “This is a victory for Nepali cricket as a whole. The love for cricket here is immense, and it’s heartening to see so many spectators and sponsors contributing to the sport,” he said.

The Nepal Premier League 2024 was a celebration of cricket, showcasing the immense talent and potential of Nepali players. With record-breaking performances, thrilling contests, and dramatic moments, the tournament captivated cricket enthusiasts across the nation and set a new benchmark for cricketing excellence in Nepal.