Kathmandu: Nepal national cricket team captain Rohit Paudel has been honoured as the outstanding Nepali player of the second Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 tournament, earning a high-value electric SUV worth approximately Rs 62 million along with a motorcycle for his batting prowess.
Paudel’s Lumbini Lions clinched their maiden NPL title on Saturday night with a commanding victory over Sudurpaschim Royals in the final, marking the team’s first championship after a challenging previous season.
Throughout the tournament, Paudel led domestic scorers with around 276 runs and claimed 10 wickets, including a memorable hat-trick in the final that helped dismantle the opposition.
As the top Nepali performer, he received the Omoda E5 electric vehicle valued at Rs 61.99 million, while his strong batting earned him an additional Pulsar motorcycle priced at around Rs 4.2 million, bringing the total prize value to over Rs 66 million.
Under Nepal’s Income Tax Act, such windfall gains from prizes are generally subject to a 25 percent tax on the amount exceeding Rs 500,000 for national or international awards in sports and related fields.
This means Paudel could owe approximately Rs 16.5 million in tax if he has already received prizes worth Rs 500,000 or more this fiscal year, or less if not, though the government cabinet has the authority to grant exemptions.
To register the vehicle in his name at the transport office, proof of tax payment or exemption would be required unless waived.
Last season, a similar car prize won by Dipendra Singh Airee prompted tax discussions, ultimately covered by the sponsoring company.
Other players, including Sandeep Lamichhane and Sher Malla who won motorcycles, may face proportional tax liabilities of around Rs 100,000 each under similar rules.
The Inland Revenue Department is monitoring these awards, with officials indicating that absent a government exemption, players must comply with the 25 percent windfall tax provisions after accounting for the basic exemption threshold.
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