Sports
DPL gets ICC approval
Dhangadhi Premier League (DPL), a franchise-based Twenty20 cricket tournament, got the green signal to organise to go ahead with the third edition, organisers Dhangadhi Cricket Academy informed on Wednesday.Sports Bureau
Dhangadhi Premier League (DPL), a franchise-based Twenty20 cricket tournament, got the green signal to organise to go ahead with the third edition, organisers Dhangadhi Cricket Academy informed on Wednesday.
The six-team tournament featuring Dhangadhi Stars, Mahendranagar United, CYC Attariya, Biratnagar Kings, Rupandehi Challengers, and Kathmandu Goldens will kick off February 9 at the Fapla Cricket Ground in Dhangadhi. In the absence of suspended Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), ICC has made it compulsory for tournaments like DPL, Everest Premier League and Pokhara Premier League to seek its approval.
DPL is the trend setter in terms of organizing city-based leagues and forming teams through auction of players. The organizers have set a mandatory provision of including at least two professional players in a team. Each of the six teams have already formed a 15-member squad. Each team has roped in 12 players through auction while also unveiling one strategic player and two overseas recruits.
The tournament will be player under round robin league with the top four teams making it to the playoff. Top two teams from the round robin league will play the first Qualifier and the winners of the match to qualify for the final. The losers of the first Qualifier will have a second shot at sneaking into the final as they play the winners of the winners of the Eliminator match in the second Qualifier. The third and fourth-placed team will play the Eliminator.
The organizers are also giving continuity to the tradition of honouring a former national or international player with the ‘Dhangadhi Cricket Award’ as well as ‘Arjun Khadka Memorial Award to one individual for his/her contributions towards to the development of cricket in the country. Both the awards carry Rs 100,000 rewards.