Kathmandu, Oct. 26 -- When Lokesh Bam was unveiled on October 4 as one of nine national cricketers sponsored by Xtreme Energy Drink, he didn't know until that day that eight others would join him on stage.

"This kind of sponsorship is what helps players," Bam told the Post. "I think this is a result of the success Nepali cricket has achieved."

Bam acknowledged that Nepali cricketers earn a decent salary compared to athletes in other sports in the country. Nepali men's cricketers earn between Rs35,000 and Rs150,000 per month based on their categories. They earn an extra fee of Rs10,000 per match for Twenty20 International matches and Rs15,000 per match for One Day International matches.

"But it is still low when compared to what cricket...