Nepal Premier League Adds DRS for First Time in Nepali Cricket

Nepali domestic cricket will use the Decision Review System for the first time when the third season of the Nepal Premier League gets under way, the Cricket Association of Nepal has announced.

The league, sponsored by Siddharth Bank, confirmed the move in a video message on its official page, calling DRS a new milestone for Nepali cricket. The tournament is scheduled to run from October 26 to November 21, according to TechPana, which reported the announcement from Kathmandu on Tuesday.

What the system will do

The DRS package goes beyond a simple review. According to the league's announcement, it includes 3D ball tracking to help umpires judge leg before wicket appeals, and multi angle replays for close run out and stumping decisions.

A front foot no ball review system using frame synchronisation technology will watch bowlers' front feet automatically. An AI powered system called NickSense, which uses audio from the stump microphones, will help detect edges when the bat touches the ball.

More than reviews

The broadcast package adds tools viewers in bigger leagues take for granted. Speed tracking will show bowling speeds on screen and on the stadium's large screens. Ball release profiles will show how the ball moves, field setting displays will show where fielders stand in real time, and six hitting analytics will track the distance and flight of big shots.

For players, the change is practical. Close decisions in past Nepali domestic seasons stood with no way to challenge them. From this season, teams can ask for a second look, and umpires get the same evidence that decides matches in international cricket, where DRS has been standard for years.

The announcement lands in a good week for Nepali cricket. On Monday, Nepal beat Oman by 10 runs in Oman to finish sixth in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 standings and protect their one day international status.