With famous foreign players like Wayne Parnell, Imran Tahir, and Jason Roy still absent, Janakpur and Pokhara's NPL journey is becoming difficult.
What you should know
Twelve out of 28 matches of the group stage of Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket have been completed. But the big names of world cricket announced by some franchises are yet to be seen at the Tribhuvan University Cricket International Stadium in Kirtipur.
Janakpur Bolts and Pokhara Avengers are facing each other in the second match on Thursday. Janakpur has already played two matches. But former South African fast bowler Wayne Parnell and mysterious spinner Imran Tahir, who were announced by the team, have not yet been seen in Janakpur's jersey.
Similarly, England's ODI World Cup winner Jason Roy, one of the big names announced by Pokhara, has also not played any NPL match. Like Janakpur, Pokhara has also been in a difficult situation after losing in the first two matches.
Parnell had arrived in Kathmandu just before Janakpur's previous match. He will play the match against Pokhara, said Janakpur Bolts General Manager Niroj Khatiwada. Along with Tahir, Roy and du Plessis are playing in the ongoing Abu Dhabi T-10 League in the UAE. Khatiwada said that his return will be decided only after Tahir's game in T-10.
The team that loses in the match between Pokhara and Janakpur will lose its third consecutive game and the team's chances of reaching the playoffs will be very weak. In such a situation, when a player who comes after playing the T-10 league reaches Kathmandu, his team may already be out of the title race.
Pokhara's team promoter and head Subodh Tripathi said that his team is facing some difficulties due to the NPL clashing with the UAE's Abu Dhabi T-10 League and IL T-20 League. He said that his team's Jimmy Neesham will leave in the middle and Roy will return after completing the Abu Dhabi T-10 League.
The IL T-20 League will start from December 2 and it is said that Neesham will leave before that. Neesham is likely to play only 4 games from Pokhara. It is said that players from other teams will also go for the IL T-20 League. But the teams have not officially announced it.
Roy is captaining Royal Champs in the Abu Dhabi T-10 League. Tahir plays for Quetta Cavalry and Du Plessis for Vista Riders. Royal Champs are at the bottom and the team has already exited the playoffs. Royal Champs will play their last league match against Quetta on November 28. Roy could then be available for Pokhara. Pokhara will have played four games in the NPL by the time Roy arrives in Kathmandu.
Tahir's Quetta is at the top of the Abu Dhabi T-10 League, which means he will have to be in the UAE by November 30. Janakpur will have played four games in this series. Du Plessis' Vista Riders are currently in fourth place and the team is a strong contender for the playoffs. If Vista Riders reach the playoffs, Du Plessis will be with the team until November 30.
If Vista reaches the playoffs, when Du Plessis arrives, Biratnagar will have played 5 games in the NPL. Biratnagar director Dipendra Chaudhary said that Du Plessis is certain to arrive right after the Abu Dhabi T-10 League. Du Plessis will probably make his NPL debut from Biratnagar in the match against Lumbini Lions on December 3.
Meanwhile, champion Janakpur has taken Pakistani all-rounder Maz Sadakat. Sadakat arrived in Kathmandu straight after leading Pakistan 'A' to victory in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in Doha, Qatar.
He played an unbeaten 96 against Oman in Doha, an unbeaten 79 against India 'A', and an unbeaten 37 against UAE. The 20-year-old left-handed opening batsman, Sadaqat, had scored 23 runs in the semi-final against Sri Lanka ‘A’ and the final against Bangladesh ‘A’.
Sadaqat, who has played 24 first-class matches and 25 matches in all formats of Twenty20, is likely to make his ‘debut’ in Thursday’s match against Pokhara.
