Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium
| Ground information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Biratnagar, Koshi Province, Nepal |
| Coordinates | 26°29′45″N 87°18′09″E / 26.49583°N 87.30250°E |
| Capacity | 45,000 (under construction) |
| Owner | Government of Nepal |
| Operator | Koshi Province Cricket Association |
| Tenants | Koshi Province cricket team Biratnagar Kings |
| End names | |
| Highway End | |
| International information | |
| As of 15 February 2024 Source: espncricinfo | |
Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium (Nepali: गिरिजा प्रसाद कोइराला क्रिक्रेट रंगशाला ) is a proposed cricket stadium in Baijanathpur, Biratnagar, Nepal. Also knows as, Baijnathapur ground. The stadium was included in the National Pride Projects in November 2023, after Nepal qualified for the 2024 T20 World Cup, alongside Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Chitwan and Mulpani Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu.[1]
Overview
[edit]Named for former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, the stadium at Baijanathpur will have other facilities such as a swimming pool, a covered hall, and a football field.[2] It is close to Biratanagar's city centre. The stadium host several domestic tournament, including koshi province t20 Cricket tournament which consists 7 provincial and 3 department teams.
Construction
[edit]In the case of Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium in Morang, which is spread over 15.5 Bigha of land in Ward No. 19 of Biratnagar Metropolis, a detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared. The government had allocated NRs 3 crore in this fiscal year's budget for the DPR. According to NSC engineer Prabhat Baral, Pulchowk Engineering College is preparing the DPR. The government acquired this land in 2055 BS announcing plans for a multipurpose stadium in 2054 BS. Still, no significant work happened over the years except preparing a pitch for cricket matches during the 7th National Games. An initial government estimate puts the cost of constructing the Baijanathpur cricket stadium at NRs 2 billion.
Major sport events
[edit]- U19 Men's National Cricket Tournament, 2024 (Nepali: यु१९ पुरुष राष्ट्रिय क्रिकेट प्रतियोगिता, २०२४)
- National Cricket Championship, 2024
Biratnagar Kings
[edit]| विराटनगर किंग्स | |
| League | Nepal Premier League |
|---|---|
| Personnel | |
| Captain | Sandeep Lamichhane |
| Coach | Kevin O'Brien |
| Owner | MAD Dream Sports |
| Team information | |
| City | Biratnagar, Koshi Province, Nepal |
| Colours | Yellow and Blue |
| Established | 5 September 2024 |
| Home ground | Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium, Biratnagar, Koshi Province, Nepal Marylebone Jwala Cricket Ground |
Biratnagar Kings (Nepali: विराटनगर किंग्स) is a professional franchise cricket team based in Biratnagar, Koshi Province that competes in the Nepal Premier League (NPL). The team was formed in 2024 to compete in the first season of the competition. The team is owned by MAD Dream Sports and is captained by marquee player Sandeep Lamichane[3] and coached by Kevin O'Brien[4].
Franchise history
[edit]In January 2024, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced that the inaugural season of the Nepal Premier League would take place in November and December 2024.[5][6][7] On 2 August 2024, CAN issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for franchise ownership. The Biratnagar franchise was sold to MAD Dream Sports for NPR.1.51 crore (US$ 110 Thousand).[8]
Team identity
[edit]The logo features a shield-shaped emblem with a mountain peak in the center, symbolizing the rugged terrain and majestic nature of the region. The word "BIRATNAGAR" is prominently displayed above the mountain, indicating the team's association with the city. Below the mountain, the word "KINGS" is written in bold letters, emphasizing the team's ambition and dominance. A golden crown tops the emblem, signifying royalty and championship aspirations. The overall color scheme of yellow and blue represents power, strength, and prestige.
Current squad
[edit]The player auction took place on 6 October 2024, finalizing 11 local players.[9]
- Players with international caps are listed in bold.
| Biratnagar Kings squad for the 2024 Nepal Premier League | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Name | Nationality[a] | Birth Date | Batting Style | Bowling Style | Category | Notes |
| 1 | Sandeep Lamichhane |  Nepal
|
August 2, 2000 (age 24 years) | Right-handed | Leg break | Marquee Player | Captain |
| 2 | Subash Bhandari | Nepal
|
December 5, 2004 (age 19 years) | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | Category 'C' | |
| 3 | Lokesh Bam | Nepal
|
August 13, 2000 (age 24 years) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Category 'A' | |
| 4 | Naren Bhatta | Nepal
|
Right-handed | — | Category 'C' | ||
| 5 | Pratish GC | Nepal
|
May 22, 2004 (age 20 years) | Right-handed | Left-arm medium | Category 'A' | |
| 6 | Rajesh Pulami Magar | Nepal
|
August 27, 1992 (age 32 years) | Right-handed | Leg break | Category 'B' | |
| 7 | Jitendra Kumar Mukhiya | Nepal
|
November 22, 1992 (age 31 years) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium-fast | Category 'B' | |
| 8 | Anil Kharel | Nepal
|
November 19, 2000 (age 23 years) | Left-handed | Left-arm orthodox | Category 'B' | |
| 9 | Dipak Bohara | Nepal
|
December 26, 2004 (age 19 years) | Right-handed | — | Category 'B' | Wicket-keeper |
| 10 | Bashir Ahmad | Nepal
|
11 September 2003 (age 21) | Left-handed | Left-arm orthodox | Category 'A' | |
| 11 | Mrinal Gurung | Nepal
|
Category 'C' | ||||
| 12 | Aqib Ilyas |  Oman
|
September 5, 1992 (age 32 years) | Right-handed | Right-arm off-spin | Overseas | Associate |
| 13 | Nicholas Kirton |  Canada
|
May 6, 1998 (age 26 years) | Left-handed | — | Overseas | Associate |
| 14 | Martin Guptill |  New Zealand
|
September 30, 1986 (age 38 years) | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | Overseas | |
| 15 | Chris Sole |  Scotland
|
February 27, 1994 (age 30 years) | Right-handed | Right-arm fast | Overseas | Associate |
| 16 | Ismat Alam |  Afghanistan
|
February 02, 2002 (age 22years) | Right-handed Batsman | Right arm Fast medium | Overseas | |
Notes
[edit]- ^ The information in the nationality column is according to ESPNcricinfo. This information may not necessarily reflect the player's birthplace or citizenship.
References
[edit]- ^ "Nepal Accelerates Construction of Three National Cricket Stadiums". Nepal Deskm. 10 November 2023.
- ^ "Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium will be built soon: Minister Limbu". My Republica.
- ^ "8 marquee players find teams for Nepal Premier League". GorakhaPatra. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ Staff, cricnepal (10 October 2024). "Kevin O'Brien joins Biratnagar Kings as head coach for Nepal Premier League". cricnepal.com. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "CAN to organise Nepal Premier League in November and December". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "CAN planning to develop NPL into a global premier event". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "Nepal Premier League 2024 start date announced". SportsAdda. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ Staff, cricnepal (5 September 2024). "Franchise auction confirms owners for all eight teams in Nepal Premier League". cricnepal.com. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "Get Nepal Premier League 2024 auction full players list". SportsAdda. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
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