Captains share insights, build excitement for NPL final

Kathmandu, Dec. 21: After 31 matches between eight teams across 17 days, two of the finalists – Sudurpaschim Royals and Janakpur Bolts – are all set to compete for the trophy of the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) today (December 21).

The Kirtipur-based TU International Cricket Ground will be crowded and loud on the day of the final as the two finalists have the most fan following in the first edition. As per the organisers, tickets for the final at the 14,000-capacity TU Ground were sold out within hours.

Stating that the crowd had been a major motivation for their teams in the ongoing NPL, the skipper of both teams, at the pre-match conference at TU Ground on Friday, said that they wanted to become champions in the opening edition. 

“We have had good games and our training for the final is also going well. Our gameplay in the final will be no different than how we have been giving our best in the previous games,” said Dipendra Singh Airee, skipper of Sudurpaschim Royals.

Similarly, Janakpur Bolts’ skipper Aasif Sheikh said that Janakpur would not be affected by the previous results when they enter the ground for the final. Janakpur has lost to Sudurpaschim twice already, once in the group stage and the other in Qualifier 1.

“We have a great team. Our players are mentally prepared despite the previous losses. We are looking at one game at a time, so we are not pressured by the final,” said Sheikh, adding, “We have not put pressure on the players who could not perform well, we are backing them up.”

Except for winning the final, there were several aspects which the two skippers agreed upon. 

For instance, when Sheikh said that he would want a Nepali player to be the major reason behind his team’s win, Airee, who was sitting beside Sheikh, nodded.

They both also stressed that they would approach the game based on the reports of the pitch they get from the major batters before the toss.

“We will be studying the pitch before and during the toss that will help us decide our approach,” said Airee as Sheikh nodded this time.

Nevertheless, the two marquees also requested the fans to support their teams healthily.

“We want the fans with tickets to come and support us but we request them to be busy with the entertainment on the field rather than badmouthing the opponent supporters,” said Airee, adding, “There will be one winner and one loser. Thus, we will focus on giving our best in the final.”

Airee, Binod Bhandari, Saif Zaib and Scott Kuggeleijn will be the major players to watch for Sudur while Sheikh, Lahiru Milantha, Harsh Thaker, James Neesham and Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi will be the ones over which Janakpur will depend; Anil Kumar Sah’s return in the final is likely not happening.

Sheikh also stated that his team would give 100 per cent and requested the fans to support their teams well. “Debating over geological and cultural differences based on the region that the eight teams represent is wrong because, at the end of the day, it is Nepal cricket that will grow,” Sheikh stressed.

The final will start at 12:15 pm.