Ultimate Sports Management (USM) announced today at a press conference that they are organizing Asian Premier League (APL) T20 from 19th June to 4th July at TU Cricket Ground. The tournament will consist of 6 franchise team consisting of international players from all over Asia. The tournament will be broadcasted internationally via Sony Six channel. The tournament was originally scheduled to take place in the UAE. However, due to the ongoing diplomatic crisis in the Gulf Region, the tournament is being relocated to Kathmandu.
Chariman Mr. R.S. Dandiwal informed at press conference “This is the very first time that an Asian clubs’ league is being hosted by the Ultimate Sports Management in association with National Sports Council, Nepal.
150 players have been shortlisted out of which 108 players will be selected by the team owners from an auction that will take place at Hotel De’La Annapurna at 4pm on 12th June. The auction will also include Nepali players as per the organizers.
The tournament is going to be a lucrative one. The winner will bag cash prize of INR 25 lakhs, runner-up will bag a cash prize of INR 10 lakhs and the third placed team will bag INR 5 lakhs. Player of the Series will be awarded a car. There is also special prize ‘Entertainer of the Day’ which will be picked from the crowd. The tournament is being supported by various corporate partners. International Sporting Gear company Spartan, the cricket gear choice of international players such as Chris Gayle, Michael Clarke is the sports gear partner. The tickets will go on sale on E-sewa 15th June onwards. The tickets are priced at Rs. 200 each.
The tournament is going to be a high profile one with various international stars from different countries coming to compete and another milestone in developing cricket in Nepal. This tourney provides flashback to Tempo World Legends Cup held back in 1999 which consisted of three teams – India, Pakistan & Rest of the World which were loaded with international stars.
Summary of the Teams
Afghanistan Bulls – The team will be captained by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, a Pakistani pacer known for his variety and has experience in T20 leagues all over the world. The team will be mentored by hard hitting Pakistani opener Imran Nazir.
Bangladesh Tigers – Al Amin Hossain will lead the team. The Bangladeshi pacer featured against Nepal in the ICC World T20 2014, and was pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/17 in 4 overs. South African hard hitter Justin Kemp will mentor the side.
Dubai Warriors – UAE international Abdul Shakoor is the captain of the team. The team is mentored by Charles Coventry, famous for tying with Saeed Anwar by scoring the highest individual ODI score by scoring 194*
Indian Stars – The team is captained by aggressive opener and the innovator of ‘Dil Scoop’ Tilakratne Dilshan. Similarly, the team is mentored by former Indian Test wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra.
Nepal Storms – UAE’s aggressive wicketkeeper batsman Swapnil Patil will captain the team. He is no stranger playing in front of packed TU Ground as he has featured in numerous matches for UAE against Nepal. English all-rounder Dimtri Mascarenhas known for his hard hitting including hitting Yuvraj Singh for 5 consecutive sixes in an over as well as picking over 900 wickets in his career will mentor the team.
Sri Lankan Lions – The side is led by bowling allrounder Farveez Mahroof, a Sri Lankan international with experience in all three formats of international cricket. The team is mentored by South African pacer Rusty Theron
