Kathmandu: The player auction for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) will be held today, marking a key step in finalising the squads of the participating franchise teams.

Organised by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the auction will allow each franchise to sign two additional Nepali players to complete their rosters ahead of the upcoming season.

52 Players to Be Drafted
According to CAN, 155 players have been shortlisted for the auction, with 52 players expected to earn contracts across the participating franchises.

The shortlisted players were selected from a pool of 347 applicants from across the country who registered for this year's auction. Following a rigorous evaluation process, CAN narrowed the list to 155 players.

Players Divided Into Three Categories
The shortlisted players have been grouped into three categories based on their performance and experience:
-Category A: 5 players
-Category B: 27 players
-Category C: 123 players
The categorisation will determine the auction process and the value of the players available to the franchises.

Teams Eye New Combination for Season Three
The Janakpur Bolts won the inaugural NPL title, while the Lumbini Lions emerged champions in the second edition.

With fresh talent set to be added through today's auction, all franchises will be looking to build stronger squads and challenge for the championship in the third season of Nepal's premier franchise cricket competition.