The biggest domestic league in the history of Nepali Cricket started from 10th of April to 22nd of April, 2017 and was named as SAGARMATHA CEMENT DHANGADHI PREMIER LEAGUE (DPL). The program was organized by merging DCL/SPA in a tribute to ARJUN KHADKA.Teams from six cities participated in the tournament where finally the winners were Dhangadi Team Chauraha.
Players auction was introduced for the first time in the history of Nepali Domestic Cricket League. The minimum base prize of players who have already played from Nepal Cricket Team was Rs.50,000 and U-19 players of Nepal was Rs.30,000 and for other cricketers was Rs. 20,000.The main sponsors were Sagarmatha Cement and co-sponsor were Raaika Tours and Travels, Bells Cafe, Hotel Devotee, Chaudhary Book Depo and CPAN.
The promoters of the tournament were Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Dhangadi Sub-Metropolitan, Hotel Association of Kailali, District Development Committee of Kailali and Cricket Players Associations of Nepal. On 16th February, organizer of Dhanghadi Cricket Academy (DCA) president Subash Shahi and Ruslan Cricket Law Department Major Mr. Adhikari had joined hands and signed the contract as the Associate partners will be Ruslan Cricket for the league.
Talking about the performances, bowlers overshadowed batsmen throughout the tournament. Out of 19 odd matches including final, 14 matches were defended by the teams who batted first and scored an average total in first innings. Despite such rough, dry and uneven wicket, Young talents were not left behind impressing the selectors for upcoming big tournaments mainly World Cricket League Division.
Young talent Aarif Sheikh looked in fine touch throughout the tournament scoring 168 runs from 8 matches with 2 fifties at an average of 28 with the bat. Aarif didn’t let his team down in crucial situations and showed his talent with the ball taking as he picked up 11 wicketsfrom8 matches. Another young gun, Slow Left Arm Orthodox Susil Kandel was a key player for Biratnagar Kings carrying his incredible form to the finals with the ball, scalping 17 wickets playing just 7 matches with an economy of 5.88.
Overall, the tournament was successful for everyone including the organizers but it didn’t go well with the spectators who watched the game at the ground or at the TV. Performance of some of the players from national side didn’t match their talent, potential, experience and the amount they were bought for.
SUMMARY OF DPL
1. Kathmandu Goldens scored 173/5 in 20 overs is the highest score by a team in the 6th match against Biratnagar Kings.
2. Dhanghadi Team Chauraha won the match by 92 runs is the highest margin a team won setting a total of 172/5 in 20 overs against Rupandehi Challengers.
3. 29 runs is the most extra given by Dhangadi Team Chauraha while defending against Kathmandu Goldens of which 8 runs from byes, 1 run of leg byes and 20 wide.
4. Paras Khadka was the highest scorer of the tournament with 175 runs in 8 matches with an high score of 67* and at an average of 25.00 with 1 fifty including 17 fours and 9 sixes.
5. Aarif Sheikh was the only batsman to hit 2 fifty plus score in the tournament and became the second highest scorer of the tournament with 168 runs in 8 matches at an average of 28.00 with 15 fours and 9 sixes.
6. Harishankar Shah of Rupandehi Challengers was the most duck out batsman in the tournament. Out of 7 matches he played, 3 times he was sent back to pavilion at the score of 0.
7. The 20 years old Sushil Kandel of Biratnagar Kings who was a Slow left-arm orthodox bowler was the top leading wicket taker with 17 wickets at an economy of 5.88 in 7 matches he played, giving away 159 runs in 27 overs with 3 madiens at an average of 9.35.
8. Raju Rijal of Dhangadhi Team Chauraha has dismissed 10 batsman in the tournament of which 9 were caught behind and 1 by stumping, which is most dismissal by wicket-keeper in the tournament.
9. 90 runs was the highest partnership of the tournament between Sompal Kami and Sumit Maharjan of Kathmandu Goldens for the 4th wicket against Biratnagar Kings.
10. Out of 19 matches played overall in the tournament, 50 batsman were sent back to pavilion at the score of 0.
On a serious note, the aim of this tourmanment was to provide some quality young talents to the Nepal Cricket Team. One has to admit that the wicket and conditions played its role so pathetically that we didn’t see batsmen converting their initial starts to a big score as bowlers were on top almost thorughout the tournament.