Kathmandu, July 7 -- Nepal's opener and wicketkeeper Mahamad Aasif Sheikh emerged as the biggest signing of the third season of the Nepal Premier League after defending champions Lumbini Lions secured him through a lucky draw when bidding reached the maximum price of Rs2 million during the auction on Monday.

Sheikh was the only player in the auction pool of 155 players whose base price started from Rs1.5 million, and the ceiling was Rs2 million. The reason: he was the marquee player released by Janakpur Bolts. The champion of the first season has selected spinner Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi as their marquee.

Before the auction, the eight franchises had retained and released players.

With the teams allowed to retain up to seven players, inc...