LALITPUR PATRIOTS UNVEIL CRICKETERS SELECTED FROM TALENT HUNT IN SPITE OF POSTPONEMENT

In spite of the 2020 edition of Everest Premier League being postponed until further notice due to the Corona Virus scare, Lalitpur Patriots went ahead and conducted their Talent Hunt activities on Friday, 6th March at the Ball Park Academy, Imadole as planned. Out of the 231 youngsters from around the country who had registered, The Patriots, under the watchful eyes of Coach Raju Basnyat, Surya Tamang and Sonu Tamang (Lalitpur Patriots Squad) unveiled the two cricketers who have been selected to represent the team. They will be joining the team camp soon. The two who made the cut after an intense 6 hours sessions in the nets are the very talented young left-arm spinner Ariyo Poudel and technically gifted batsman Bibatshu Thapa.

Furthermore, left arm Chinaman Aditya Subedi, medium pacers Ashim Shrestha, Jitendra Kumar Yadav, Suraj Tamang and Dinesh Adhikari have also been selected to join the camp and train with Team Lalitpur Patriots.

A total of six city-based teams were scheduled to compete in the Everest Premier League Twenty20 cricket tournament and the participating teams are required to include a player through the talent hunt program in the 15-member squad.

Patriots coach Raju Basnyat informed that these youngsters were selected after assessing them in the nets. “We selected the two best players after carefully scrutinizing their technique and potential.” he said. “We also wanted to nurture and groom additional players and contribute to the development of Nepali cricket by picking up five additional players from the talent hunt program so that they can practice with the squad. We shall provide all facilities and ensure that they get the right guidance.”

“Nepali Skipper Gyanendra Malla and senior national players in the Lalitpur Patriots team will mentor the cricketers during their time in the camp. This will help them to learn and hone their cricketing skills. All selected players will be kept in closed camp training along with other players,” added Basnyat.

Meanwhile, Lalitpur Patriots International Pvt. Ltd. President and team owner Mr. Kishore Maharjan informed that both Ariyo and Bibhatsu (players selected through the talent hunt) would be getting a stipend of Rs 25,000 each. “We will keep them with the team and will provide the same training facilities received by other team members,” said Maharjan.

Kathmandu Kings XI, Chitwan Tigers, Pokhara Rhinos, Biratnagar Warriors and Bhairahawa Gladiators are the other teams competing in the 2020 edition of EPL