KATHMANDU, March 30: The final preparation for the second edition of the Dhangadhi Premier League is almost over and the organizers are hopeful for the grand show of the tournament which will start on Saturday.
Various sources claimed that there will be a provision of an artificial parapet for more than 7,000 spectators for the tournament. An experienced curator Ajay Pandey helped by two Indian cricketers worked for about two months for the preparations of the ground which will have two pitches.
The organizers also informed that there will be a digital scoreboard with a Giant Led Screen in the ground and the replays of important moments will be shown on the board.
The tournament has already been approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and it will be on the radar of the major international cricket representatives.
Stage set to kick off Khaptad Gold Cup today
The Chairman of the tournament Subhash Shahi was very happy for the help of sponsors and the other members in the organizing committee. He added that the national team captain Paras Khadka was of great help.
“All the members of the organizing committee, all the sponsors have been helping us and I feel very happy for that. I’m absolutely delighted with the support of Paras Khadka,’’ Shahi said.
Captain Khadka, who is the strategic player of Biratnagar Kings, said that this is the first tournament after Nepal secured the ODI status and is looking forward for the tournament.
“This is the first tournament after we secured the ODI status and I’m very delighted with it. We will give our 100 percent effort to make the tournament a big success,’’ Khadka said. “We are here to entertain all the cricket lovers.’’
A total of six teams including Kathmandu Goldens, Biratnagar Kings, Rupandehi Challengers, CYC Attariya, Mahendranagar United and the defending champions Team Chauraha are taking part in the tournament.
The strategic player of Mahendranagar United is Binod Bhandari, while the foreign players recruited by the team are two Indians Punit Bisht and Puneet Mehra. The strategic player of Rupandehi Challengers is Shakti Gauchan, while the foreign players are India’s Deepak Prasad and the member of Oman national cricket team Sufyan Mehmood. Likewise, the strategic player of CYC Attariya is Dipendra Singh Airee and foreign players are India’s Gaurav Chitkar and Bipin Chand.
Also, the strategic player of Team Chauraha is Sompal Kami, while the foreign players are yet to be finalized. Kathmandu Goldens has selected Gyanendra Malla as the strategic player and two Ranji players of India Jaykishan Kolsawala and Sunny Patel. Similarly, Khadka is the strategic player for Kathmandu Kings, while the foreign players are yet to be finalized.
The winner of the tournament will take home Rs 2.5 million, while the runner-up will be rewarded with Rs 1 million. Likewise, the third-placed team and the fourth-placed team will be prized with Rs 300,000 and Rs 200,000 respectively. Also, the most valuable player of the tournament will bag a pair of golden shoes, and the man-of-the-match will get Rs 10,000 each.
The tournament will be played at the Seti Zone Police Cricket Ground in Chauraha.
The tournament, which will conclude on April 13, will see Team Chauraha take on Kathmandu Goldens.
