Flying start to KPL Dubai

The second edition of KPL Dubai got off to a flying start at the Dubai Sports City stadium on Friday.

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By Adur Pradeep

Published: Sat 3 Nov 2012, 11:39 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 2:00 PM

Kerala’s Labour Minister Shibu Baby John inaugurated the tournament in the presence of Indian cricketer S. Sreesanth, film star Suresh Gopi and Dubai Cricket Council secretary Mohammed Lokhandwala.

Sreesanth, while talking at the function, said: “It is an honour to associate with the tournament. I wish all success for KPL’s second season.”

Indian national film award winner Suresh Gopi said: “It was wonderful cricket in the KPL first season. The new season also promises a lot with top teams taking part.”

KPL promoters Paul Joseph, CTK Nasir, Anand Kumar (Nandu), Roy George, Thomas Philip and Sanu Mathew were also present during the ceremony.

Defending champions Dunes Cuisine Kannur Veerans faced Calicut Zamorins Supported by Du in the inaugural match.

While eight teams participated in the first tournament, a total of 12 teams are taking part in the month-long tournament which has a prize money of Dh185,000.

The tourney is being held under the auspices of Dubai Cricket Council.

The final will be held at the Dubai Sports City stadium on December 2 and the winner will get Dh100,000.

“There will be a total of 33 matches this time and the majority of the ties will be at the ICC Global Academy grounds,” said Paul Joseph.

“Players from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan are participating in the tournament. Each team can include two overseas players in their team,” he added. According to the tournament rules, a team should consist minimum three players from Kerala in a playing XI and the remaining from local players, with one player under age 22. One of the highlights of this season would be a cricket match between film directors and stars to be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on December 1.

Malayalam director M A Nisshad will lead the Directors XI and a total of 36 film celebrities have already confirmed their attendance for this match. The organisers have also plans to conduct an Indo-Arab Cultural togetherness as part of the tournament.

The next matches will be held at the ICC Global Cricket Academy grounds on Thursday. Phoenix Medicine Kollam Kernals will face Thumbay Kasargod Leopards, while Trissur Dynamites Yogi Group will meet Globelink Weststar Shipping Pathanamthitta Rajas.

TEAMS

Group A: Dunes Cuisine Kannur Veerans, Phoenix Medicine Kollam Kernals, Space - CSS Alleppey Ripples, Concord Ventures Palakkad Harvestors, Thumbay Kasargod Leopards, Calicut Zamorins Supported by Du

Group B: Trotters Independent Traders - Wayanad Highlanders, DCB Kings XI Trivandrum Royals, Yogi Group Trissur Dynamites, Globe Link West Star Shipping Pathanamthitta Rajas, Capital (CMC) Kochi Diwans, Global Distribution Malappuram Knights

Adur Pradeep

Published: Sat 3 Nov 2012, 11:39 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 2:00 PM

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