Patriots unveil squad with three foreign players

Kathmandu, December 13

Lalitpur Patriots today unveiled the squad including three foreign players for the TVS Everest Premier League scheduled to be held at the Tribhuvan University Stadium from December 18-30.

All-rounder Yogesh Nagar, medium pacer Subodh Kumar Bhati and wicketkeeper-batsman Jay Kishan Anil Kumar Kolswala — all from India — will play for the Patriots in the premier Twenty20 cricket tournament, informed Patriots President Kishore Maharjan at a press meet today. The Patriots will pay $200  per match to each  foreign player.

The 27-year-old Nagar, who plays for Delhi, has featured for Delhi Daredevils in 26 matches in the Indian Premier League from 2009 to 2012. Nagar’s personal best score in the money-spinning IPL is 43 not out against Chennai Super Kings in 2012. He has also played 20 List A matches for Delhi.

Similarly, Bhati, 27, has played 11 Twenty20 matches for Delhi in India’s domestic cricket, while Kolswala, 28, who plays domestic cricket from Baroda, has featured in two T20 matches along with four List A matches.

As per the tournament regulations, all the participating teams need to have three foreign players in their 15-member squad.

Meanwhile, the Patriots also unveiled official promotional video of the team.

The Patriots have already named national cricket team vice-captain Gyanendra Malla — who is also the marquee player of the team — as the skipper and Raju Basnyat as coach.

They have picked 10 cricketers through auction and have selected four cricketers from the talent hunt programme, two of them are currently in the youth team competing in the ACC U-16 Eastern Region Tournament in Thailand. Patriots will take on Kings XI in the inaugural match on December 18.

A total of six teams — Kathmandu Kings XI, Lalitpur Patriots, Biratnagar Warriors, Bhairahawa Gladiators, Pokhara Rhinos and Chitwan Tigers — will take part in the event organised by EPL Pvt Ltd under the sponsorship of Jagadamba Motors Pvt Ltd. The winners will take home Rs 2.1 million.