KATHMANDU: Biratnagar Kings have retained marquee player Sandeep Lamichhane and five others for the upcoming Nepal Premier League season.
The franchise announced on Tuesday that Sandeep, Basir Ahamad, Lokesh Bam, Narayan Joshi, Pratish GC and Subash Bhandari have been retained.
Biratnagar have released Naren Bhatta, Surya Tamang, Sahil Patel, Shankar Rana, Shravan Kisku and Ayush Neupane.
The retention comes after Biratnagar’s best NPL campaign so far. The Kings reached the playoffs in the second season after finishing inside the top two in the league stage.
Their title push, however, ended with back-to-back playoff defeats. Biratnagar lost to Sudurpaschim Royals in Qualifier 1 and then fell to Lumbini Lions in Qualifier 2.
That second-season run was a major improvement from their first NPL campaign. In the inaugural season, Biratnagar finished sixth and failed to reach the top four.
Biratnagar’s first season started with an eight-wicket defeat against Janakpur Bolts. They then suffered a heavy 90-run loss against Sudurpaschim Royals.
The Kings recorded their first NPL win against Lumbini Lions, winning by two wickets. But they could not build a long run from there.
They lost to Karnali Yaks by seven runs and were also beaten by Pokhara Avengers in the first Super Over match in NPL history.
Biratnagar produced one of their best results of the season with a 51-run win over Chitwan Rhinos, but ended the league stage with a one-wicket defeat against Kathmandu Gorkhas.
Basir Ahmad was Biratnagar’s leading run-scorer in that first season, while Pratis GC led their wicket charts.
The second season changed the direction of the franchise. Biratnagar built a stronger squad around Sandeep and reached the playoff stage for the first time.
Sandeep was one of the standout players of NPL 2025. He finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 17 wickets.
Biratnagar also had major overseas names in the squad last season. Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Merchant de Lange, Sam Heazlett, George Munsey, Shubham Ranjane and Shehan Jayasuriya all featured for the Kings.
By retaining Sandeep, Basir, Lokesh, Narayan, Pratis and Subash, Biratnagar have kept a strong domestic core before the next auction.
The Kings now enter the new season with a clear target. After moving from sixth place to Qualifier 2 in two seasons, their next step is to reach the NPL final.
