Kathmandu Goldens captain and strategic player Gyanendra Malla on Wednesday said being the finalists last year doesn’t make his side the title contenders of the third edition of the Dhangadhi Premier League (DPL).

The DPL is starting from Saturday at the Fapla Cricket Ground where six franchises will vie for the title and a cash purse of Rs 3 million. Malla’s Goldens had lost to the two-time defending champions Dhangadhi Stars — previously known as Team Chauraha Dhangadhi — by 21 runs in the final last year. Malla said his team has to start from the scratch.

“Being the finalists last year doesn’t give us the privilege to boast as major contenders of the title this season. It is a fresh tournament and we have to start from the scratch. We had lost in the final last year and this year we have to rethink where we went wrong and play positive cricket,” Malla said during a farewell programme for the team.

Malla was satisfied with the current squad. “We are happy with the team combination. There are few experienced players and the youngsters are raring to go for the tournament. I think the foreign players can also play a key role in the team’s progress,” the captain added. Hard-hitting Indian opener Gaurav Tomar and his compatriot Ankit Dabas are the two foreign recruits for Goldens.

Tomar has the experience of competing in the Pokhara Premier League and Everest Premier League impressing in both the tournaments. Jharkhand cricketer Dabas is going to have his first ever experience in the domestic league of Nepal. Team owner Ramesh Silwal revealed the two players were paid $3500 each for this season.

Goldens have Raju Basnyat as their coach. The Malla-Basnyat combination enjoyed a recent success in domestic Twenty20 league winning the Everest Premier League from Lalitpur Patriots franchise. Basnyat believed that the inclusion of foreign cricketers has bolstered their team. “We can expect good performance from our domestic players whom we picked up through auction. Roping in Tomar and Dabas has give complete shape to the team,” Basnyat said.

Silwal wanted his team to play good cricket irrespective of what happens at the end of the campaign. “We have to play good cricket because we are the finalists of last season. Its a game and anything can happen. I just want the boys to play positive and disciplined cricket. We didn’t have best of the final last season and hope this team goes one better,” added Silwal.

The franchise, meanwhile, roped in Islington College as the title sponsors. Silwal and Islington President Sulav Budhathoki signed the sponsorship agreement during the farewell programme for the players. The sponsorship amount was not revealed. “We want sports and education to move together. This is the reason for our association with Kathmandu Kings,” said Budhathoki.

Kings Squad

Gyanendra Malla (capt), Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Anil Sah, Rashid Khan, Nandan Yadav, Yogendra Singh Karki, Sonu Tamang, Mehboob Alam, Gaurav Tomar, Ankit Dabas, Bikram Thagunna, Sudip Chaudhary, Surya Tamang, Sandip Chaudhary, Bablu Yadav