Former Indian cricket star Ajay Jadeja will be the star attraction of the Wai Wai Everest Premier League (EPL) final at the Tribhuvan University Stadium on October 3, the organisers Zohra Sports Management (ZSM) announced on Tuesday.

“Jadeja has confirmed his presence to be the special guest for the EPL final,” said ZSM managing director Aamir Akhtar on Tuesday. “His presence alone will add huge value and attraction to the tournament,” added Akhtar. Jadeja, who has scored over 5,000 runs in 196 ODIs, is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on October 1, play a round of golf at the Gokarna Golf Course the next day and attend the final match at TU on October 3 before departing the next day. Jadeja, who also played 15 Tests, is best remembered for his big hitting and quick finishing in late 1990s.

The twenty20 tournament kicks off on September 24 with six franchise team competing in the round robin league. The lucrative tournament offers Rs 5.4 millions alone as match fees alone for the participating 84 cricketers.

Owned by various corporate houses, each franchise will be led by the national team cricketers. The organisers/franchises have categories the players in five sections according to which they will receive their match fees. While the captains will get Rs 20,000 per match, national cricketers playing minimum 15 international matches will earn Rs 15,000. Cricketers participating in the Under-19 World Cups will get Rs 12,000 and those players who do not meet the criteria to receive Rs 12,000 yet have played “sizeable international or U-21 cricket” will get Rs 10,000.

Regional players will be provided with Rs 8,000 as match fees from their franchises. Each team will play five matches and the top two teams after round robin league will fight for the title. The organisers have yet to announced the prize money for the champions. “Only the champions will be rewarded with cash prize,” said Akhtar.

Vishal Warriors will have national team skipper as their leader and Colors X Factor will be led by national team vice-captain Gyanendra Malla. Sharad Vesawkar will captain Tez of Panchakanya Group, Basanta Regmi lead the Kantipur Gurkhas, Shakti Gauchan will skipper the Jagdamba Rhinos and Binod Bhandari will skipper Sagarmatha Legends.