Sudurpaschim Royals
| सुदूरपश्चिम रोयल्स | |
| Nickname(s) | SR |
|---|---|
| League | Nepal Premier League |
| Personnel | |
| Captain | Dipendra Singh Airee |
| Coach | Jagat Tamata |
| Owner | Empire Sports |
| Team information | |
| City | Dhangadhi, Sudurpashchim Province |
| Colors | |
| Founded | 5 September 2024 |
| Home ground | Fapla International Cricket Ground |
| Capacity | 50,000 |
| History | |
| Nepal Premier League wins | 0 |
| Official website: | sudurpaschimroyals |
Sudurpaschim Royals (SR; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a Nepalese professional T20 cricket franchise based in Sudurpashchim Province. The team competes in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) and was one of the eight franchise incorporated in 2024.[1] Their home ground is the Fapla International Cricket Ground and is owned by Empire sports with telecommunication partner Nepal Telecom. Sudurpaschim Royals were the runners-up in the inaugural season of Nepal Premier League being defeated by Janakpur Bolts by five wickets in the final at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.[2] Dipendra Singh Airee, Binod Bhandari and Ishan Pandey were the standout players of this team.[3]
History
In January 2024, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced that the inaugural season of the Nepal Premier League would take place in November and December 2024.[4][5][6] On 2 August 2024, CAN issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for franchise ownership. The Sudurpaschim based franchise was sold to Empire Sports for NPR 1.68 crore (US$120,000).[7][8]
2024 season
The Royals made their debut in the 2024 Nepal Premier League. They had a best debut season, finishing top in points table and reaching finals of inaugural season with seven wins from nine matches. On 3 December 2024, they played their first ever match in NPL history against Biratnagar Kings and won by huge margin of 90 runs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.[9] Two days later, they defeated Kathmandu Gurkhas by 73 runs, securing second consecutive win in NPL.[10][11] They once gain won by huge margin of 45 runs against Lumbini Lions.[12] The team recorded their first major loss on 8 December 2024, against Chitwan Rhinos[13] After that, they once again won back to back matches against Janakpur Bolts and nail-biting thriller against Pokhara Avengers by 72 runs and 5 runs respectively and secures playoffs berth.[14] [15] In Qualifier 1, they once again beat Janakpur Bolts by 8 wickets, and became first team in NPL to reach finals.[16] On 21 December, Sudurpaschim Royals lost final of the inaugural season of Nepal Premier League being defeated by Janakpur Bolts to five wickets in the final.[17] In this season, Saif Zaib became the leading run scorer and Scott Kuggeleijn became leading wicket taker of the franchise.[18][19]
Crest and colours
The logo consisted shield design with a blue background, representing the colors of mountains and rivers of sudurpaschim and features a stylized royals tiger wearing a crown, representing the royal element and tigers of Shuklaphata holding a cricket ball at center with white stripes, symbolizing the tiger's attack imprint on it's opponenets and the team name rendered below in yellow. The team's primary colour is yellow and blue.[20]
Brand
The Lions has consistently been named amongst the most valuable sporting franchises in Nepal.
Sponsorship
| Year | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor (front) | Shirt sponsor (back) | Chest branding | Sleeve branding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Blanxer | Global IME Bank | Babu88 | X-AGE | Bread Box, Surya Ply |
Banking Company, Global IME Bank became the first shirt sponsor for the team in NPL 2024.[21][22] The team also has sponsorship deals with Nepal Telecom, Surya Ply, and Bread Box.[23]
Ownership
When the NPL was launched in 2024, the Sudurpaschim franchise was sold to the Empire Sports for रू1.68 crore (US$150,000), making it the third cheapest team in the league.[24][25]
Players
Current squad
- Players with international caps as of start of 2025 NPL are listed in bold.
| No. | Name | Nationality | Birth date | Batting style | Bowling style | Year signed | Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aarif Sheikh |  Nepal |
Right-handed | Right-arm medium | 5 October 1997 (aged 27) | 2024 | रू15 lakh (US$13,000) | |
| 2 | Abinash Bohara | Nepal |
Right-handed | Right-arm medium | 30 July 1997 (aged 28) | 2024 | रू15 lakh (US$13,000) | |
| 3 | Binod Bhandari | Nepal |
25 January 1990 (aged 35) | Right-handed | N/A | 2024 | रू10 lakh (US$8,700) | |
| 4 | Dipak Bohara | Nepal |
26 December 2004 (aged 20) | Right-handed | N/A | 2025 | रू5 lakh (US$4,300) | |
| 5 | Dipendra Singh Airee | Nepal |
24 January 2000 (aged 25) | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | 2024 | रू20 lakh (US$17,000) | Captain |
| 6 | Dipendra Thapa | Nepal |
24 January 2002 (aged 23) | Right-handed | N/A | 2025 | रू2 lakh (US$1,700) | |
| 7 | Hemant Dhami | Nepal |
14 April 2006 (aged 19) | Right-handed | Right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium] | 2025 | रू10 lakh (US$8,700) | |
| 8 | Ishan Pandey | Nepal |
2 March 1998 (aged 27) | Left-handed | N/A | 2024 | रू9.5 lakh (US$8,300) | |
| 9 | Milan Bohara | Nepal |
28 June 2005 (aged 20) | Right-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | 2025 | रू5 lakh (US$4,300) | |
| 10 | Naren Saud | Nepal |
28 January 2006 (aged 19) | Left-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | 2024 | रू2 lakh (US$1,700) | |
| 11 | Tek Bahadur Rawat | Nepal |
N/A | Right-handed | N/A | 2025 | रू2 lakh (US$1,700) |
Administrative and support staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Jagat Tamata |
| Mentor | Brad Hodge |
Statistics
By season
| Year | Mat | Won | Lost | NR | Win% | Group Stage | Final Result | Most Runs | Most Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.77 | 1/8 | Runners-up | Saif Zaib (275) | Scott Kuggeleijn (17) |
| Total | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.77 | ||||
Source: ESPNcricinfo[28]
By opposition
| Opposition | Span | M | W | L | NR | Win (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biratnagar Kings | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10
|
| Chitwan Rhinos | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
|
| Janakpur Bolts | 2024 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.66
|
| Karnali Yaks | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100
|
| Kathmandu Gurkhas | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100
|
| Pokhara Avengers | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100
|
| Sudurpaschim Royals | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100
|
| Total | 2024 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.77% |
Last updated: 21 December 2024
References
- ↑ "CAN announces eight franchises for Nepal Premier League". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ↑ "Milantha's heroics secure Janakpur Bolts the NPL title". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ↑ "NPL: Dipendra Singh Airee wins Omoda E5 car". HimalPress. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ↑ "CAN to organise Nepal Premier League in November and December". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ↑ "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ↑ "Nepal Premier League 2024 start date announced". SportsAdda. 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ↑ Staff, cricnepal (2024-09-05). "Franchise auction confirms owners for all eight teams in Nepal Premier League". cricnepal.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ↑ "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ↑ "Sudurpaschim Royals defeat Biratnagar Kings by 90 runs in Nepal Premier League". The Kathmandu Post. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ↑ "Sudur Paschim Royals beat Kathmandu Gurkhas to secure second victory". The Himalayan Times. 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
- ↑ "Sudurpaschim Royals beat Kathmandu Gurkhas by 73 run". Republica. 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
- ↑ "Sudurpaschim Royals win by 45 runs, Lumbini Lions suffer third defeat". Republica. 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
- ↑ "Chitwan Rhinos defeat Sudurpaschim Royals by 33 runs in NPL". The Kathmandu Post. 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ↑ "Sudurpaschim Royals defeat Janakpur Bolts by 72 runs in NPL clash". The Kathmandu Post. 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ↑ "Sudurpaschim secure playoff berth". The Kathmandu Post. 2024-12-15. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "Royals reach NPL final after defeating Bolts in first qualifier". Republica. 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- ↑ "Janakpur Bolts becomes NPL Champion". GorakhaPatra. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ↑ "Most runs in Nepal Premier League, 2024". ESPNcricinfo. 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ↑ "Most wickets For Nepal Premier League, 2024". ESPNcricinfo. 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ↑ "Sudurpashchim franchises unveil team name, logo". HimalPress. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
- ↑ "Global IME Bank Partners with Sudurpaschim Royals as Main Sponsor". Global IME Bank. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ↑ "Global IME Supports Sudurpaschim Royals as Main Sponsor for NPL 2024". ICTFrame. 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ↑ "Nepal Telecom named telecom partner for Sudurpaschim Royals". The Himalayan Times. 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ↑ "NPL Franchise Teams Sold, Pokhara Fetches Highest Price". Neplays. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ↑ "CAN secures whopping funds from NPL franchise ownership auction". Cricnepal. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ↑ "Sudurpaschim Royals announce retained and released players ahead of NPL 2025 mini auction". Cricnepal.com. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ "NPL completes player auction for second edition with 37 signings". online khabar. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ↑ "Results of Nepal Premier League". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
External links
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