The Everest Premier League will return to the domestic T20 tournament calendar in September 2021.
The 2020 EPL did not take place amid to the global coronavirus pandemic.
“Nearly one year on from the postponement of the 2020 edition of the Everest Premier League due to the global outbreak of Covid-19, the Everest Premier League is delighted to announce the next edition of the EPL will be played in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu,” read a statement from the EPL.
“The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has granted official sanctioning for the 2021 Everest Premier League and endorses the tournament to be conducted from 25 September to 9 October.
“The window was chosen for a number of reasons. Firstly, continuing to monitor the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been measured that the six-month window leading into the start of the EPL will give opportunity for the number of infections to continue to ease, and for the vaccine program to continue to take effect.
“Secondly, late September onward is a fantastic time to enjoy excellent weather in Kathmandu after the end of the monsoon season.
“Finally, the 15-day period for the tournament has been timed to coincide with the pre-Dashain festival, and the Everest Premier League 2021 will bring the biggest festival of cricket ever seen to Nepal.”
International Stars in the EPL
Several international bowlers, batsman and all-rounders have featured in previous editions of the EPL.
West Indian batsman Chris Gayle was due to play for the Pokhara Rhinos before the tournament was postponed in 2020.
Other players from abroad in past EPLs
- Richard Levi (South Africa)
- Kyle Coetzer (Scotland)
- Kevin O’Brien (Ireland)
- Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands)
- Asif Ali (Pakistan)
- Farveez Maharoof (Sri Lanka)
‘Plenty more announcements coming’
“I would firstly like to express my sincere thanks to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for sanctioning the 2021 Everest Premier League,” added EPL founder and managing director Aamir Akhtar.
“The situation with the Covid-19 pandemic is continuing to improve in Nepal and we are delighted to be able to announce the return of the EPL.
“This gives us more than six months to plan one of the biggest ever sporting events of Nepal. We have made some iconic associations with plenty more announcements coming that will give Nepali cricket fans tremendous excitement to look forward.”
The Lalitpur Patriots are the reigning champions. They beat the Bhairahawa Gladiators in the 2018 final.