Everest Premier League (EPL) Pvt Ltd on Tuesday claimed that it is going to make EPL Twenty20 one of the most watchable sporting events of the country as the organisers updated about the tournament preparations.

The six-team city based franchise league is set to begin at the TU Stadium on December 18 where the participating teams will vie a top prize of Rs 2.1 million—so far the highest cash provided to champions in the domestic cricketing event. “Our main aim is to attract as many spectators as possible to the ground so that we can establish a good crowd culture in Nepal,” said EPL Managing Director Aamir Akhtar during a press conference.

“Rhe facilities at the TU have not been upgraded for long. We are working on various aspects on how to give it a facelift. We have been working closely with international vendors who have experience of working in Indian Premier League. We can assure that TU grounds will get a completely different look for EPL,” added Akhtar.

For the first time in Nepali cricket, EPL will also see the use of third umpire that will be used during run outs and stumping. “We can only manage third umpire for run outs and stumpings,” said Akhtar.

Nepali U-19 team coach Binod Das has been appointed the Chief Operating Officer of EPL. Das recently guided Nepal into their maiden semi-finals of the ACC U-19 Asia Cup in Malaysia. Das said Nepal can expect a lot from EPL.

“We are trying to make EPL the most watchable sporting event of the country not only in terms of television but also in terms of ground entertainment that crowd can get,” said the former national team skipper Das.

Laltipur Patriots, Kathmandu Kings XI, Biratnagar Warriors, Chitwan Tigers, Bhairahawa Gladiators and Pokhara Rhinos are the six franchise of the EPL. While the franchises recently bought 10 players through auction, it has been mandatory for each team to have at least three international recruits and one player in the squad coming through the talent hunt.

Marquee players have formed the final 15-member squad in each team. Dipendra Sing Airee (Tigers), Gyanendra Malla (Patriots), Paras Khadka (Warriors), Sharad Vesawkar (Gladiators), Shakti Gauchan (Rhinos) and Sompal Kami (Kings XI) are the six marquee players already announced by EPL.