Men’s PM Cup in 3 cities outside Kathmandu

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 22:The PM Cup Men’s National Cricket Tournament is leaving Kathmandu for the first time as the seventh edition is being hosted by three different cities of Tarai.

According to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the Chitwan-based Siddhartha Rangasala, Rupandehi-based Extratech Oval, and Dang-based Lamahi Cricket Ground will be hosting the tournament between 10 teams – seven provincial and three departmental teams.

Earlier, all six editions were hosted by the Kirtipur-based TU International Cricket Ground. 

Issuing a statement on Friday, the CAN informed that the tournament will be played from March 9 to 29. There will be 45 league-stage fixtures between the 10 teams with the top two teams, on points basis, will play in the final. As per the tournament structure, each team will play once again other participants in a single round-robin format. Thus, each team will play nine games.

Likewise, the tournament will begin on March 9 with the three stadiums hosting a game. Siddhartha Rangasala, Extratech Oval and Lamahi Ground will host Koshi vs Lumbini, Bagmati vs APF and Karnali vs Sudurpashchim respectively. 

The ten teams have fixtures in all three stadiums while Chitwan will host the final on March 29. Similarly, Siddhartha Rangasala will host 17 of the 46 games in total while Extratech and Lamahi will host 15 and 14 games respectively. 

The CAN has expected the move to promote domestic cricket throughout the country as cricket fans outside the capital will get the chance to see their favourite cricketers play in a 50-over format. Recently, the CAN also organised the Women’s PM Cup outside Kathmandu. It took place at the Dhangadhi-based Fapla International Cricket Ground.