Kathmandu, October 15

The first-ever franchise-based cricket tournament for women, Women’s Champions League is beginning here at the TU Stadium on Wednesday.

Kat Queens Kathmandu will take on Chitwan Rhinos in the opening match of the premier Twenty20 cricket tournament organised by Queens Event Management Pvt Ltd.

A total of five teams — Lalitpur Falcons, Pokhara Paltan, Kat Queens Kathmandu, Chitwan Rhinos and Biratnagar Titans — will take part in the nine-day tournament.

The teams will play against each other in the single round robin league and top two will receive Rs 700,000 and Rs 300,000 respectively. Likewise, player of the series will get TVS scooter and Rs 50,000, while the best bowler and batter will earn Rs 25,000 each. The player of the match will get Rs 5,000.

Five marquee players, Rubina Chhetri (Kat Queens), Sarita Magar (Titans), Sita Rana Magar (Paltan), Nery Thapa (Falcons) and Indu Verma (Rhinos), unveiled the trophy amidst a programme today.

Chhetri, who is also the skipper of the national women’s cricket team, said the players were excited to get the opportunity to play the professional cricket on home soil. “We all are excited as we are getting the chance to play in the highest-level cricket tournament.

At the same time, we also have a kind of fear in our mind that the tournament is beginning tomorrow and our performance will decide the fate of our team and the event,” she added.

Chhetri said the players needed to give their best and prove that women’s cricket also had potential. “We are committed to give our 100 per cent to make the event more interesting and attract corporate houses into women’s cricket in the years to come,” she added.

Former national team captain and Falcons’ marquee player Nery Thapa described the tournament as ice-breaking event. “We are getting the chance to play the franchise-based cricket after 12 years of struggle in the national team. This is the beginning and I hope the next generation players will get benefit from these kinds of tournaments,” she added.

Sita Rana Magar of Paltan said the WCL was a special event for women cricketers.

“The WCL has made us special as we are entering the professional phase and all the players are really happy that they are getting the chance to play in franchise-based tournament for the first time,” she said.

Managing Director of Queens Event, Chhumbi Lama said the preparations were over and was confident the tournament would be a grand success.

“We are organising the tournament to support women’s cricket and we need help from all stake holders,” said Lama. “We have also informed the new committee of Cricket Association of Nepal and we believe the officials would support the activities that contribute to the overall development of Nepali cricket,” added Lama.

Whose company also organises men’s city-based franchise cricket tournament, Pokhara Premier League.