NPL teams ready to push through limited training and compete for the trophy

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 30: The eight franchise teams in the inaugural edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) have appointed Nepali players as captains to lead their representative teams to victory. Except for Janakpur Bolts, seven other teams have selected their marquees as captains.

Talking to journalists during the 'Captain's Media Day' at NPL's venue, TU International Cricket Ground, on Friday, the eight captains expressed happiness for the League and their desire to win it.

Meanwhile, the statements made by the captains also suggested that the players had a small window to prepare for the NPL. The teams started practice sessions for the players a couple of days after the auction on October 6.

"Our best practice took place for a week in Rupandehi. We trained for 6-7 hours daily at Extratech Oval Cricket Stadium as the ground was fully available for us," said Rohit Kumar Paudel, captain and marquee for Lumbini Lions. 

Similarly, Dipendra Singh Airee, captain and marquee for Sudurpaschim Royals, informed that their team benefitted from the practice match against Chitwan Rhinos at Mulpani Cricket Stadium on November 26. Sudurpaschim defeated Chitwan in the game. 

According to Kushal Malla, captain and marquee for Chitwan Rhinos, his team trained in Chitwan for a week before arriving in Kathmandu and playing the practice game with Sudurpaschim.

Kushal Bhurtel, captain and marquee for Pokhara Avengers, also informed that his team trained at their home ground in Pokhara. "Our players have been learning a lot from the experienced coaching staff from India," Bhurtel added. 

Hinting that the team lacked a ground in Karnali, Karnali Yaks' captain and marquee Sompal Kami said, "We have been training in Kathmandu for the past week. Our young players and those selected from the talent hunt are showing promise. We have experienced foreign players. We are learning and improving."

Janakpur Bolts' captain, Anil Kumar Sah, also stated that they did not have a proper ground to train. "The practice match in Kathmandu was a good platform," he said. Janakpur defeated Lumbini in the practice game at Mulpani on November 27.

Janakpur is the only team to not have their marquee as the captain. "Our marquee player, Aasif Sheikh, is okay with me being the captain. We all have our responsibility. Our foreign players have also arrived, and we are ready for the tournament," said Sah.

"We started proper training late, but now our team is doing great. Players have known each other well and we are ready for the games," said Sandeep Lamichhane, captain and marquee for Biratnagar Kings. 

Based on the captains' statements, Kathmandu Gurkhas seemed to have had the best training period. "Our local players have been training with head coach Basanta Shahi for around a month. Foreign players have also arrived. As a team, we are good," said Karan KC, captain and marquee for the Gurkhas.