The third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) is the first to use the Decision Review System (DRS). Here is what the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and the press have confirmed.
When it starts, and which matches use it
CAN announced on Tuesday 20 October 2026 that DRS would be used in the NPL's third edition. Its press statement, as reported by Nepalnews and Unified Nepal, said the system will be used in all matches of NPL 2026, which runs from 26 October to 21 November.
The first two seasons, in 2024 and 2025, did not use DRS. Ratopati called its arrival a first for Nepali cricket. The Kathmandu Post (25 October) noted that DRS "now lets players challenge on-field decisions themselves".
How many reviews each team gets
The Kathmandu Post (23 October) and Ratopati (26 October) both report the same allowance:
Each team will be allowed two unsuccessful reviews per innings.
A team keeps a review when the on-field decision is overturned. Each team can have two reviews turned down in an innings.
What can be reviewed
According to CAN's announcement and the Kathmandu Post:
- LBW: checked with full 3D ball-tracking.
- Edges: AI-based edge detection, with sound-wave technology, checks whether the ball touched the bat.
- Other decisions: run-outs, stumpings and front-foot no-balls are reviewed on video.
- Wides: wides will be judged by the height of the delivery. Reports have not explained exactly how this will work in matches.
- Extras: the system will also measure the distance and height of sixes and produce extra bowling statistics.
Who supplies it, and what it costs
The provider has not been named. On 20 October, CAN secretary Paras Khadka said two companies had tested the technology, and that the choice would depend on accuracy and reliability.
The Kathmandu Post put the cost at about Rs 15 to 20 million, shared between CAN and the eight franchises.
Why the start times changed
Reviews are expected to add about 30 minutes to each match, and the organisers added 30 minutes to the schedule, according to the Kathmandu Post. CAN's 20 October statement set the starts at 12:30 pm for the first match of a double-header and 5:00 pm for the second match or a single match (Nepal time). Some previews published later still give the earlier 4:30 pm start.
What is still unclear
- The name of the DRS technology provider.
- How the height-based wide-ball checks will be applied in matches.
We will update this page as the season goes on.
Sources
- Kathmandu Post (20 Oct 2026), NPL to introduce DRS for third edition: https://kathmandupost.com/cricket/2026/10/20/nepal-premier-league-to-introduce-drs-for-third-edition
- Onlinekhabar English (20 Oct 2026), CAN announces use of DRS: https://english.onlinekhabar.com/can-announces-use-of-drs.html
- Nepalnews (20 Oct 2026), DRS in all games and schedule change: https://english.nepalnews.com/s/sports/drs-to-be-employed-in-all-games-under-npl-change-in-game-schedule/
- Unified Nepal (20 Oct 2026): https://unifiednepal.com/en/news/national/drs-to-be-implemented-in-all-npl-matches-match-timings-revised/ramkumarrai/
- Ratopati English (20 Oct 2026): https://english.ratopati.com/story/84203/drs-technology-for-the-first-time-in-nepal-premier-league
- Kathmandu Post (23 Oct 2026), what's new in season 3: https://kathmandupost.com/cricket/2026/10/23/what-s-new-in-the-nepal-premier-league-s-third-season
- Kathmandu Post (25 Oct 2026), NPL returns with bigger ambitions: https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/10/25/npl-returns-with-bigger-ambitions-and-global-recognition
- Ratopati English (26 Oct 2026), season 3 kicks off: https://english.ratopati.com/story/84532/the-third-edition-of-npl-begins-today-with-defending-champions-lumbini-and-runners-up-sudurpaschim-to-face-off-in-the-opening-match
