KPL Dubai returns with more teams and prize money

The Kerala Premier League Dubai (KPL Dubai) which ignited the cricketing passion of the South Asian expatriate community in the UAE returns with more glitz and glamour next month.

Season Two of KPL Dubai to be held from November 2 to December 2 will be bigger and richer than the inaugural edition offering total prize money of Dh185,000, including Dh100,000 for the champion team.
 
“Last year we had eight teams and Dunes Cuisine Kannur Veerans was the winner. This time, we have 12 teams,” said Paul Joseph, managing director of KPL at a press conference held at India Club on Monday.
 
The new teams are Phoneix Medicines Kollam Kernels, Capital Kochi Diwans, Globelink West Star Shipping Pathanamthitta Rajas and Concord Ventures Palakkad Harvesters.

Joseph thanked Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) under whose aegis this tournament is being held, for making this concept a reality and making it the talk of the town.

Matches will be held at the Dubai Sports City stadium and the ICC GCA grounds.
 
A highlight of this year's tournament is a cricket match between a film directors XI and actors from Kerala.
 
Some of the prominent Malayalam directors, led by M A Nisshad, will take on an Actors Kerala team at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on December 1.
 
“It is nice to see KPL giving opportunities to players from different countries. We have five Afghanistan players in Wayanad Highlanders. Similarly a lot of players from Pakistan and Sri Lanka are playing in KPL,” said Mohammed Lokhandwala, honorary secretary of DCC who supervised the draw.

He said the format of the tournament was fine-tuned to accommodate the additional teams and to ensure 33 matches were scheduled during the month.

Emirates Cricket Board administrator Mazhar Khan lauded the KPL 'Team' for contributing to the improvement of cricket in the region.
 
“We have to compliment the KPL management for involving in the development of cricket in the country. It is a wonderful feeling because cricket is a great game which brings together different communities and nationalities,” he said.
 
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 and a maximum of two overseas players.
 
KPL’s brand ambassador and Malayalam film hero Suresh Gopi was delighted to see the growth of the tournament in such a short span.
 
The organisers plan to conduct an Indo-Arab Cultural togetherness as part of the tournament.
 
“Based on the long lasting relationship between India and the UAE, we wish to conduct a carnival - The Indo Arab cultural togetherness.
 
“This event will be a zenith of celebrating the Kerala Piravi and the UAE National Day together,” Joseph added.
 
KPL promoters CTK Nasir, Anand Kumar (Nandu), Roy George , Thomas Philip and Sanu Mathew were also present during the function.
 
Groups
 
Group A: Dunes Cuisine Kannur Veerans, Phoenix Medicines Kollam Kernels, Space CCS Alleppy Ripples, Concord Ventures Palakkad Harvesters, Thumbay Kasargod Leopards, Du Calicut Zamorins

Group B: Wayanad Highlanders, DCB Kings Trivandrum Royals, Yogi Group Trissur Dynamites, Globelink West Star Shipping Pathanamthitta Rajas, Capital Kochi Diwans, Global IT Malappuram Knights
 

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