KATHMANDU, Nov 10: With boundaries, sixes, wickets and thrilling contests dominating the Nepal Premier League (NPL), the festive spirit among Nepalese cricketers remained undiminished during the third edition of the tournament.
Despite their busy schedules of matches, training and back-to-back competition, players found time to celebrate Tihar, Nepal's second biggest festival, in their own ways.
As exciting NPL matches continue at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, much of the players' time has been spent on team preparations and on the field.
6 essentials to guide Tihar festivities
Cricketers from eight teams, including prominent members of the national squad as well as domestic and foreign players, are competing to deliver their best performances. Amid this busy schedule, Laxmi Puja gave players a brief break from cricket to enjoy the festive occasion.
Kathmandu Gorkhas captain Karan KC, Lumbini Lions captain Rohit Paudel and Chitwan Rhinos captain Sompal Kami shared photographs on social media showing them performing rituals and celebrating Tihar on the occasion of Laxmi Puja. While they remain focused on strategies to lead their respective teams to victory on the field, the three captains were seen sharing festive moments with family members and relatives.
Likewise, Gulshan Jha, a member of the Nepal national cricket team, and the team's head coach Monty Desai also joined the Tihar celebrations. Photographs shared on social media showed that the festive spirit within the Nepalese cricket team remained strong despite the demands of the NPL.
No NPL match was scheduled on Sunday, Kartik 23, due to Laxmi Puja. Players used the break to perform religious rituals, meet family members and relatives, and share the joy of Tihar. The tournament resumed on Monday.
Players from all teams are currently competing to help their sides move forward with strong performances. While some are scoring heavily with the bat, others are putting opposition teams under pressure with the ball. Despite the intensity and excitement of the competition, Nepalese cricketers have continued to observe their cultural traditions and festivals.
Amid the demands of cricket, Tihar's traditional oil lamps, religious rituals and family gatherings added colour to the players' celebrations. Even as the NPL action continues, the festive spirit among Nepalese cricketers has remained just as strong away from the ground.
As players took a brief break from the pressure of competition to enjoy the festival of lights, Tihar offered a welcome meeting point between the excitement of the NPL and Nepal's cultural traditions.
