KATHMANDU, Nov 26: The U-19 national cricket team all-rounder Kushal Malla was sold at the highest price during the closed auctions for the second season of Pokhara Premier League (PPL) amid ‘Players Release and Retain’ event held in Kathmandu on Monday.
Four teams went on a warlike bid for Malla, the teenage starlet. The defending champions Pokhara Paltan finally reserved the services of the left-hand batsman and bowler through a lucky draw. Four teams, Paltan, Butwal Blasters, Biratnagar Titans and Chitwan Rhinos had locked in Rs 150,000, the upper-ceiling for age-level capped national player, for Malla during the closed bidding and auctions. Paltan also secured the services of U-19 national cricket team fast bowling spearhead Akash Chand for Rs 50,000 unanimously.
Former national cricketers Subash Khakurel and Amrit Bhattarai, making their respective comebacks in Nepali cricket, were purchased by Kathmandu Golden Warriors, the team previously known as Kathmandu Royals in the first season. Warriors paid Rs 50,000 each for the former opening batsman and bowler of national cricket team during the auctions.
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Khakurel last played for Nepal in 2018 during the ACC Asia Cup qualifiers from which Nepal was knocked out after the league stage, whereas the left-arm fast bowler Bhattarai last represented Nepal in 2014 before traveling to Australia for other career opportunities.
Similarly, Rhinos and Expert Dhangadhi Blues went on bidding for former national fast bowler Bikram Sob who went to Paras Khadka-led Rhinos for Rs 130,000. Rhinos also purchased leg-spinner Bikram Bhusal for Rs 50,000.
Blues captured Australian resident Nepali player Sunam Gautam for the base price of Rs 50,000. The franchise also won unanimous bid for Anil Kharel for base price of Rs 50,000. Kharel previously featured for Blasters in the first season of PPL.
Likewise, Blasters, unanimously, acquired the services of current U-19 national cricket team all-rounder and Sudurpaschim captain Sher Malla and young left-arm fast bowler Kamal Khatri for base price of Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively.
Finally, Biratnagar Titans confirmed wicket-keeping duo of former national cricket team member Dilip Nath and current U-19 national cricket team member Lokesh Bam for the new season of the T20 franchise league.
Earlier, all six teams released three players each. Blasters released local icon Kharel, wicket-keeper batsman Prakash KC and injured all-rounder Sagar Pun. Rhinos let go of retired Shakti Gauchan, local icon AakashThapa and Swapnil Adhikari. Likewise, the defending champion released local icon Deepesh Khatri, leg-spiner Bhusal and pace bowler Divyanshu Mallick. Warriors released Naresh Budhayer, Sumit Jha and Sudhir Chaudhary. Blues released Nath, Santosh Bhatta and Yogendra Singh Karki. Titans released Jitendra Singh Thakuri, Rabin Joshi and Himanshu Dutta.
