Promising EPL set for February next year

KATHMANDU, Aug 13: The third season of Nepal’s marquee T20 cricket event Everest Premier League (EPL) is set to start in February 2020, according to a press release issued by the organizers on Monday. 

The new dates for the event are February 29 through March 14. This means the league will not be played in 2019 at all, after completing its second season last year in December. 

“The dates have been shifted from December this year to February next year to allow late starts for morning matches and also organize the event in more pleasant weather conditions, that is, spring 

time,” states the press release.

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The EPL authorities have already started correspondence with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding approval of the league like the last two editions when the sanctioned event was hosted at Tribhuvan University (TU) cricket ground.

Meanwhile, for the upcoming season, the organizers are negotiating with foreign production companies to deliver broadcast equipment to match the quality of broadcasting in international matches. 

The managing director of EPL, Aamir Akhtar, emphasized on the development of Nepali cricket through various 

mediums. 

“It is our first priority to contribute to the development of cricket in Nepal, and we are trying to incorporate international expertise in all fronts -- ground operations, entertainment, and broadcast.”

The EPL has also made it mandatory for the franchises to include at least one big name from international cricket as the ‘iconic player’. According to the press release, it has to be from a test playing nation.

“The next season of EPL will be a class-apart event and is sure to give the spectators and viewers a spectacular event, the likes of which they’ve only seen in international leagues. We hope that a start on the extra day of a leap year will prove auspicious,” Akhtar added.

The EPL franchises are already recruited, who are recruiting foreign players for the next season. Teams are planning to announce the names soon.