DCA names teams, strategic players for DPL

Kathmandu, January 24

Dhangadhi Cricket Academy today announced teams, owners and their strategic players for the second edition of the Ruslan Dhangadhi Premier League, a premier Twenty20 cricket tournament, slated for March 31 to April 14 at the SSP grounds in Dhangadhi.

A total of six teams — Kathmandu Goldens, CYC Attariya, Mahendranagar United, Team Chauraha Dhangadhi, Biratnagar Kings and Rupandehi Challengers — will compete in the tournament. Top two teams will be richer by Rs 2.5 million and one million rupees respectively. The winners’ prize money is the highest in domestic cricket as DPL champions will get Rs 400,000 more than the Everest Premier League champions.

Golden Gate Education Network is the owner of Kathmandu Goldens which picked up national cricket team vice-captain Gyanendra Malla as the strategic player.

Similarly, CYC Attariya is owned by Shreejanshil Youth Club and Dipendra Singh Airee is the strategic player of the team, while Sushil Kumar Shrestha is the owner of Mahendranagar United and Binod Bhandari is the strategic player.

Raj Kumar Shrestha is the owner of Team Chauraha Dhangadhi, who named Sompal Kami as the strategic player, while Rupandehi Challengers, owned by Suraj Upreti, named Shakti Prasad Gauchan as the strategic player. Similarly, national team skipper Paras Khadka is the strategic player of the Biratnagar Kings, which is owned by Paras Luniya.

DCA President Subash Shahi informed that the base amount of the strategic player was set at Rs 200,000. He said each side would pick 12 players through auction and the teams were allowed to spend up to Rs 1.1 million. The auction is slated for February 21.

The organizers have divided the players into four categories. National team members with at least 15 caps or three years experience are place in Category A and they go into the auction with base amount of Rs 100,000 with Rs 150,000 being the ceiling.

Similarly, the Category B players — remaining national players, age-group cricketers and those making it to the national team camps — can be bought for Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000. Uncapped players are in Category C and the organizers have set the amount of Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000 for these cricketers.

Similarly, local players selected through talent hunt programmes will be placed in Category D. The base amount for them is Rs 20,000 with maximum amount of Rs 40,000 and each side needs to pick at least one player from this section. The overseas players are in Category E and the participating teams should bring in at least two foreign cricketers.

Asked about the approval of the event from the International Cricket Council, Shahi said DCA had already started the correspondence with the world governing body. As the Cricket Association of Nepal remains suspended, the ICC has made its approval mandatory for domestic events as well.

Meanwhile, owner of Team Chauraha Raj Kumar Shrestha said his side would compete in the tournament with the target of defending the title. “Our target would be to repeat the result of last edition,” said Shrestha, whose side was led by national team skipper Khadka in the previous edition.

Team Chauraha’s strategic player Kami said he was happy for being picked up by the defending champions. “It is always a benefit to play for the defending champions and a home team we will also get support from locals,” he said.

Biratnagar’s co-owner Prafull Baidya thanked the organisers for the continuation of the tournament. Biratnagar strategic player Khadka said he was happy that the tournament was getting hype in the last couple of months. “Teams and investors should support Nepali cricket and as a player we would try to do best for the game,” said Khadka.

Attariya co-owner Kamal Kafle said his team’s target was to win the title apart from connecting society to sports which helps in leading a healthy life. Attariya’s strategic player Airee thanked the management for choosing him in the team.

Likewise, Mahendranagar owner Sushil Kumar Shrestha said his team was competing in the tournament under social responsibilities. “Since we have good players, we hope to do well in the tournament,” said Shrestha. Mahendranagar’s strategic player Bhandari said events like DPL provide new players with platform. “I am grateful to the team for entrusting me again and I won’t let them down,” said Bhandari, who was recently dropped from the national team.

Ramesh Silwal, Managing Director of Golden Gate Education Network, said Kathmandu Goldens would try to play best cricket. “We got involved in the event only because of the passion for the game. And we believe cricket is the only team sport that can excel in international arena,” said Silwal.

Kathmandu’s strategic player Gyanendra Malla said DPL was one of the few tournaments that help in strengthening Nepali cricket. “As a player I got to learn lot of things from such events.”

Rupandehi co-owner Amit Bajracharya said he was hopeful that his team would win the competition, while their strategic player Gauchan wished for the success of the event.

Similarly, national cricket team head coach Jagat Tamatta said sponsors should come forward for the 50-over tournaments. “DPL and EPL have provided platform for new players and we also need 50-over tournaments to lift Nepali cricket,” said Tamatta.