Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) successfully auctioned eight teams for the Nepal Premier League (NPL), a franchise-based T20 cricket competition, on Thursday.
Team Pokhara fetched the highest bid at Rs 35.7 million, while Team Karnali was sold for the lowest price of Rs 11.17 million.
Nepal T-20 Pvt Ltd, the owner of the Pokhara Avengers from the Nepal T20 league, secured the Pokhara franchise. Himalayan Builders and Engineering purchased Team Karnali.
Nepal T-20 Pvt Ltd had earlier expressed interest in the Pokhara franchise, stating that it has already spent over Rs 40 million in the Pokhara Avengers which competed in the now-scrapped Nepal T20 League. The company had informed CAN of its willingness to match the winning bid for the franchise.
Kantipur Publications acquired Team Kathmandu for Rs 33.33 million, Dream Sports bought Team Janakpur for Rs 20.5 million, Fortuna Health Care secured Team Lumbini for Rs 18.6 million, Chitwan Medical College purchased Team Chitwan for Rs 17.6 million, and M.A.D Dreams Sports snapped up Team Biratnagar for Rs 15.1 million. Empire Sports bought Team Sudurpashchim for Rs 16.88 million.
CAN raised a total of Rs 168.88 million through the auction.
The inaugural season of the NPL will take place from November 30 to December 21.
