POKHARA, Nov 19: The KP Oli Cup T-20 National Cricket Tournament will start from Thursday at the Pokhara Stadium Cricket Ground with the opening match of Bagmati Province against the host Madan Bhandari Sports Academy.
Cricket enthusiasts in Pokhara will have the opportunity to witness a national-level T20 cricket tournament after a long hiatus. The participating teams include Tribhuvan Club of Nepal Army, APF Club of Armed Police, and Nepal Police Club representing Koshi, Bagmati, Madhesh, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces.
According to the coordinator of the cricket department formed under the Academy and former national player Shakti Gauchan, the departmental team will be participated by Tribhuvan Club of Nepal Army, APF Club of Armed Police and Nepal Police Club from Koshi, Bagmati, Madhesh, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.
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According to the schedule, Team Red of Bagmati Province, Karnali Province and Madan Bhandari Sports Academy Team are in Group 'A', APF, Lumbini and Gandaki in Group 'B', Nepal Police, Madhesh Province and Sudurpaschim in Group 'C' and Tribhuvan Army Club, Koshi Province and Team Blue of Madan Bhandari Sports Academy are in Group ‘D’.
Coordinator Shakti Gauchan, former national player and coordinator of the cricket department under the Academy, mentioned that the Academy would be participating in the competition for the first time. Players have been selected from various cricket academies and formed into two teams.
Organizers from Madan Bhandari Sports Academy estimate a budget of Rs 7 million for the competition.
The winning team will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 5,00,000, while the runner-up will receive a trophy, medals, certificates, and Rs 250,000 cash. Cash prizes will also be given to the Man of the Match and the best batsman and bowler of the tournament. The tournament will be managed by Madan Bhandari Sports Academy Kaski.
