Nepali Cricketer Salary: Monthly Income, Match Fees & Earnings

Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Nepal, especially after the national team’s regular participation in international tournaments. With growing interest in the game, many people want to know the salary of Nepali cricketers, including their monthly income, match fees, and additional earnings. Nepali cricketers earn through CAN contracts, domestic and international matches, cricket leagues, and sponsorships. This guide will provide a simple and clear overview of Nepali cricketer salaries, match fees, and total earnings to help you understand whether cricket can be a stable and rewarding career in Nepal.

Table of Contents

• How Nepali Cricketers Earn Money
• Monthly Salary of Nepali Cricketers
• CAN Central Contract System
• Contract Duration and Payment Method
• Factors Affecting Monthly Income
• Grade-Wise Salary of Nepali Cricketers (Men & Women)
• Grade A Nepali Cricketer Salary
• Grade B Nepali Cricketer Salary
• Grade C Nepali Cricketer Salary
• Grade D Nepali Cricketer Salary
• Emerging Nepali Cricketer Salary
• Match Fees of Nepali Cricketers
• ODI Match Fees
• T20I Match Fees
• Domestic Match Fees
• Bonuses and Performance Incentives
• Salary in Domestic Cricket Leagues
• Nepal Premier League (NPL) Salary Structure
• Other Domestic Cricket Tournaments in Nepal
• Role of League Cricket in Total Earnings
• Opportunities to Play Abroad
• Income Comparison Between Domestic and Foreign Leagues
• Sponsorship and Endorsement Income
• Earnings of Top Nepali Cricketers from Sponsors
• Social Media and Brand Deals
• Future Scope of Cricketer in Nepal
• Conclusion

How Nepali Cricketers Earn Money

Nepali cricketers earn money in different ways when they play cricket. Players who are selected for the national team get paid every month by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). This monthly money helps them buy food, pay bills, and focus on practicing cricket. Cricketers also get paid for each match they play. When they play matches against other countries, they usually get more money than when they play local matches.

Besides monthly pay and match money, Nepali cricketers also earn money by playing in cricket leagues. In these leagues, players are paid one fixed amount for the whole tournament. Many players earn a big part of their yearly income from these leagues. Some famous cricketers also earn extra money from sponsors. Sponsors are companies that pay players to promote their products, which helps cricketers earn more money along with playing cricket.

Monthly Salary of Nepali Cricketers

CAN Central Contract System

Nepali cricketers who are selected for the national team receive a monthly salary from the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) through a central contract system. Under this system, players get paid every month for representing the country. At present, most national team players earn around NPR 25,000 to NPR 1,00,000 per month. This regular income helps players manage daily expenses such as food, travel, practice, and basic living costs. Because the salary is fixed and comes every month, players can focus more on cricket training and match preparation.

Contract Duration and Payment Method

CAN contracts are usually given for a period of one year. The monthly salary is paid directly into the player’s bank account, making the payment process clear and safe. At the end of the contract year, CAN reviews the player’s overall performance, fitness, and match involvement. Players who perform well, stay fit, and play regularly have a better chance of getting their contract renewed for the next season.

Factors Affecting Monthly Income

The monthly salary of a Nepali cricketer depends on several factors. Players who perform well in matches and are selected regularly usually earn more over time. Experience also matters, as senior players often receive better pay. On the other hand, injuries, poor performance, or missing matches can affect income and contract renewal. Consistent performance and staying fit help players increase their monthly earnings in the long run.

Grade-Wise Salary of Nepali Cricketers (Men & Women)

Grade A Nepali Cricketer Salary

Grade A players are the most experienced and important cricketers in Nepal. They represent the country regularly in international matches and are key members of the team. Under the CAN central contract system, men in Grade A earn NPR 100,000 per month, while women in Grade A earn NPR 50,000 per month. This is the highest fixed monthly salary in Nepal cricket and allows players to fully focus on training, fitness, and match performance without worrying about other income sources.

Grade B Nepali Cricketer Salary

Grade B cricketers are regular members of the national squad and often travel with the team for international tours. They may not play every match, but they play an important role in team balance and future development. Grade B men earn NPR 70,000 per month, and Grade B women earn NPR 35,000 per month. This monthly income supports their daily needs and motivates them to improve their performance to reach a higher grade.

Grade C Nepali Cricketer Salary

Grade C players are mostly developing cricketers who are gaining experience at the national level. They are still working to secure a regular place in the team. Grade C men earn NPR 55,000 per month, while Grade C women earn NPR 30,000 per month. This salary helps players cover training and living expenses while they focus on improving their skills.

Grade D Nepali Cricketer Salary

Grade D includes new and less-experienced players who have recently entered the national setup. This grade supports young talent and helps prepare them for higher levels of competition. Grade D men earn NPR 35,000 per month, and Grade D women earn around NPR 25,000 per month. Although the salary is lower than higher grades, it helps players manage basic expenses during their early career.

Emerging Nepali Cricketer Salary

Emerging players are young cricketers who are just starting their national-level journey. This category is designed to support future talent and give players time to develop. Emerging men and women cricketers earn around NPR 25,000 per month. This income helps young players stay focused on cricket and build a strong foundation for their future career.

Match Fees of Nepali Cricketers

ODI Match Fees

Nepali cricketers earn match fees every time they play an ODI match for the national team. ODIs provide the highest match fee in Nepal cricket because these matches are longer and played at the international level. The ODI match fee ranges from NPR 15,000 to NPR 20,000 per match. When players take part in ODI series or tournaments, this match fee becomes an important part of their total income.

T20I Match Fees

T20I matches also provide a good source of income for Nepali cricketers. These matches are shorter and are played more often throughout the year. The T20I match fee is around NPR 10,000 to NPR 15,000 per match. Because many T20I matches are scheduled in a season, players can earn money regularly through this format.

Domestic Match Fees

Domestic matches are important for both national and non-national players. Cricketers earn a match fee when they play in domestic tournaments and local competitions. The domestic match fee ranges from NPR 3,000 to NPR 7,000 per match. For players who are not under central contracts, domestic match fees are a key source of income.

Bonuses and Performance Incentives

Apart from match fees, Nepali cricketers can also earn bonus money for winning matches, series, or tournaments. Performance-based incentives are given for good team results or special achievements. These bonuses can add between NPR 50,000 and NPR 5 lakh per tournament, depending on the level of the competition. Bonuses help increase total earnings and motivate players to perform better.

Salary in Domestic Cricket Leagues

Nepal Premier League (NPL) Salary Structure

The Nepal Premier League (NPL) is the main domestic T20 league in Nepal and one of the best-paying cricket tournaments in the country. Many Nepali cricketers earn a large part of their yearly income from the NPL. Local and emerging players usually earn between NPR 1.5 lakh and NPR 8 lakh per season, depending on their skill, experience, and team selection. Top national team players can earn up to NPR 15 lakh per season. Because of its popularity and strong competition, the NPL offers higher pay than most other domestic leagues in Nepal.

Other Domestic Cricket Tournaments in Nepal

Besides the NPL, Nepal also has several smaller domestic cricket tournaments and local leagues. These tournaments give players more chances to play and earn money. In most of these competitions, players are paid around NPR 25,000 to NPR 1 lakh per tournament, along with separate match fees. Although the earnings are lower compared to the NPL, these tournaments are very important for young and non-national players.

Role of League Cricket in Total Earnings

League cricket plays a big role in a Nepali cricketer’s total income. For many players, money earned from leagues like the NPL is higher than their yearly salary from CAN contracts. League cricket allows players to earn a good amount of money in a short time while gaining match experience, confidence, and public recognition.

Opportunities to Play Abroad

Some Nepali cricketers get the chance to play cricket in other countries. These chances usually come when a player performs well in matches in Nepal. Nepali players are often seen playing in leagues in countries like India, the UAE, and parts of Europe and Asia. Playing cricket outside Nepal helps players learn new skills, play against stronger teams, and gain more experience. It also helps them become more well-known, which can lead to more chances to play in the future.

Income Comparison Between Domestic and Foreign Leagues

Cricket leagues outside Nepal usually pay much more than leagues inside the country. Nepali cricketers who play in foreign leagues can earn between NPR 5 lakh and more than NPR 30 lakh per season. Even if a player plays only for a short time in a foreign league, the money earned can be higher than what they make from domestic matches. Because of this, playing in foreign leagues can greatly increase a cricketer’s total income.

Sponsorship and Endorsement Income

Earnings of Top Nepali Cricketers from Sponsors

Well-known Nepali cricketers earn extra money from sponsorships and endorsements. Sponsors are companies that pay players to promote their products or services. Top-performing and popular cricketers can earn around NPR 10 lakh to NPR 50 lakh in a year from sponsorship deals. These earnings depend on how famous the player is, how well they perform in matches, and how much fans follow them. Sponsorship income helps players earn much more than just their cricket salary.

Social Media and Brand Deals

Social media has become an important source of income for Nepali cricketers. Players with a strong presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube often get brand deals. For each promotion or campaign, cricketers can earn between NPR 50,000 and NPR 5 lakh, depending on their popularity and reach. These brand deals allow players to earn money even when they are not playing matches, making social media an important part of their total income.

Future Scope of Cricketer in Nepal

Cricket is becoming more popular in Nepal every year. More people are watching cricket matches on TV and online, going to grounds to watch games, and supporting Nepali players. Because many people are interested in cricket, more companies want to support cricket teams and players. These companies give money as sponsorship, which helps players earn more. When cricket becomes more popular, leagues also grow, and this gives players more chances to play matches and earn money.

In the future, Nepali cricketers are expected to earn more than they do now. As more cricket leagues are organized in Nepal and more international matches are played, players will have more chances to earn money from matches and tournaments. Better performance and more exposure can also help players get chances to play in foreign leagues, where the pay is higher. Overall, the future looks good for cricket earnings in Nepal, with more matches, better pay, and more support from sponsors.

Conclusion

Cricket is becoming a good career option in Nepal, and the income of Nepali cricketers is improving over time. Players earn money from monthly salaries, match fees, domestic and foreign leagues, and sponsorships. While earnings may not be very high for everyone at the start, regular performance, experience, and hard work help players earn more over the years. With growing fan support, more leagues, and better opportunities, cricket is slowly becoming a stable and rewarding career in Nepal.