The Nepal Premier League will use the Decision Review System for the first time in its third season, following an announcement by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Tuesday. The governing body confirmed the move through a press release and its official social media channels, putting an end to speculation over whether Nepal's flagship franchise competition would adopt the technology this year. According to a report by Ratopati, the third edition of the tournament will be played from October 26 to November 21, 2026, with the review system operational from the very start of the campaign.
A Landmark Announcement for Nepali Cricket
The confirmation that DRS will feature in the NPL marks a significant milestone for a league that has quickly grown into the biggest stage in Nepali cricket. CAN used both a formal press release and posts on its official social media accounts on Tuesday to inform franchises, players and supporters that the technology will be used throughout the upcoming season, underlining the importance the association has attached to the change.
The decision follows earlier remarks by CAN secretary Paras Khadka, who had said that efforts were underway to bring the Decision Review System to the NPL. His comments had fueled expectations among followers of the league that Nepal's premier domestic competition would soon match the technological standards that are common in international cricket and in major franchise tournaments around the world. With Tuesday's announcement, those efforts have now translated into a firm commitment for the third season.
Indian Technology Partner and Corporate Backing
Details of how the system will be delivered have also begun to emerge. According to Nepal Press, an agreement has been signed with an Indian company for the technology, an arrangement that ensures the review system will be ready from the first match of the season. The report points to the practical groundwork that has gone into bringing DRS to Nepali grounds in time for the new campaign.
Ratopati has additionally reported that Siddhartha Bank is presenting the system, adding a prominent corporate name to the rollout. The involvement of a presenting partner underlines the commercial weight behind this season's arrangements and suggests that the league's off-field infrastructure is expanding alongside its sporting ambitions. The announcement was also covered by Khabarhub, reflecting the wide interest the decision has generated across Nepali media.
Revised Schedule and Match Timings
Alongside the DRS confirmation, the outline of the third season is now clearer. As per Ratopati, matches in the third edition will run from October 26 to November 21, 2026, giving the tournament a window of nearly a month.
Significantly, match timings for the season have been changed following the introduction of DRS. The review system adds a new operational layer to every fixture, and the revised timings reflect the adjustments required to accommodate technology-led decision-making within the match day schedule. Teams will now plan their preparations around a new rhythm, while spectators will need to keep track of the updated timings when following the tournament.
Key Details of NPL Season Three
- Tournament window: October 26 to November 21, 2026
- DRS: To be used from the first match of the season
- Technology agreement: Signed with an Indian company, as reported by Nepal Press
- Presenting partner: Siddhartha Bank, according to Ratopati
- Match timings: Revised following the introduction of DRS
What DRS Means for the League
The Decision Review System is used across international cricket and major franchise leagues to help make on-field decisions more accurate. It allows teams to challenge certain umpiring calls, with the third umpire relying on replay and tracking technology to either uphold or overturn the original decision. By reducing clear errors, DRS has become a standard feature of the modern game at its highest level, and its adoption is widely viewed as a benchmark of a professionally run competition.
Until now, NPL matches have been played without such support, leaving umpiring decisions to stand without the safety net of a formal review process. The third season changes that picture. Players will for the first time have a mechanism to seek reviews of contentious calls, adding a layer of scrutiny designed to protect the fairness of results in a competition where fine margins can decide outcomes.
For CAN, the introduction fulfills a goal that secretary Paras Khadka had publicly championed, and it aligns the league with the norms of international cricket, where DRS is a fixture of bilateral series and global tournaments. For players, the technology offers greater assurance that crucial moments will be judged with the best available tools, while for fans it adds a familiar element of tension and precision to the broadcast experience.
With the tournament window fixed, a technology partner secured and a presenting sponsor on board, the third NPL is set to begin under the most technologically advanced conditions in the league's history. Attention will now turn to how the system performs in live conditions when the first ball is bowled on October 26.
