Nepal Premier League to Introduce DRS for Third Season
The Nepal Premier League (NPL) will introduce the Decision Review System (DRS) for the first time in its third season, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced on October 20, marking a significant technical development for domestic cricket in Nepal.
CAN described the introduction as the first use of DRS in Nepali cricket. The system will allow on-field umpiring decisions to be examined using technology when a decision is challenged or referred for review.
According to the league's promotional reel, the technology package will include full 3D ball tracking for leg-before-wicket (LBW) decisions and AI-based edge detection to help determine whether the ball has touched the bat.
The system will also cover run-outs, stumpings and front-foot no-balls. The promotional reel additionally features height-based wide-ball analysis, although CAN has not explained how that feature will be applied during matches.
The league's promotional reel is available on Facebook.
NPL DRS package to include ball tracking and edge detection
The advertised technology is designed to assist with several types of umpiring decisions. Ball tracking will help assess the trajectory of deliveries in LBW reviews, while edge detection will help determine whether the ball has made contact with the bat.
Coverage of run-outs, stumpings and front-foot no-balls will extend the system's role beyond decisions involving bat-ball contact or the ball's trajectory.
However, important details about how the technology will operate during the tournament remain unconfirmed.
Additional match analytics for NPL broadcasts
The technology package will also provide statistics intended to enhance match analysis and television coverage.
According to the promotional material, the system will measure the distance and height of sixes and supply additional bowling statistics for broadcasts.
These features are separate from DRS decision-making. Measurements of sixes and supplementary bowling data are match and broadcast analytics rather than tools used to review umpiring decisions.
CAN has not yet identified which specific bowling metrics will be available.
CAN tested technology from two companies
The announcement follows testing of systems from two technology companies. CAN secretary Paras Khadka had previously said the board would assess the accuracy of the systems before making a final decision.
The testing process highlights the importance of reliability in implementing DRS, where technology must provide consistent and accurate information to support match officials.
NPL DRS rules and implementation details remain unclear
Several operational details have yet to be announced by CAN.
The board has not confirmed how many reviews each team will receive, how unsuccessful reviews will be treated, whether the umpire's call provision will apply or whether the complete technology package will be available in every match.
These details will help determine how the system is used during the Nepal Premier League's third season and how consistently it is applied across the competition.
The introduction of DRS represents a technical step forward for the domestic tournament. However, the system's effectiveness will ultimately depend on its accuracy, camera coverage and consistent application throughout the competition.