DCL 2013: Of Hat-trick of Hat-tricks and Title Favorites By: Gowhar Geelani In only 15 days of play until September 30, the mega-cricketing event Downtown Champions League (DCL) has completed 50 league matches at two venues: University of Kashmir and Islamia College grounds. Out of a total number of 66 league matches only 16 remain to be played now after which the playoffs shall be played. In the Playoffs, four top teams on the points table shall compete against each other for the ultimate glory. The DCL has shown the way how cricket tournaments are to be conducted in a professional manner and matches organized with astonishing degree of perfection. The tournament in which 12 franchises, each owned by a separate business house, has seen three hat-tricks so far while three individual batsmen from three different teams came close to scoring a hundred but missed the milestone by a whisker. Naseer Want (Elegant Strikers), Abid Nabi (Mirza Gladiators) and Asif Khan (Kehwa Knight Riders) came close to scoring a hundred but all of them got out in the nervous 90s....! Imtiyaz from Team Alkhuddam against Mirza Gladiators, Imtiyaz from Elegant Strikers against Jawahar Hawks, and Hashim from Kashmir Royal Stars against Ghani Gliders have been successful in claiming a hat-trick each in the DCL 2013 until now. In the first season of DCL T20 2013, 12 teams are participating on league basis. The top four teams, the first four on the Points Table, shall have to play the Qualifier 1, Eliminator and Qualifier 2 to decide the two finalists. The top two teams with most points shall then battle it out against each other in the Qualifier 1. The winner of the Qualifier 1 shall seal the place in the finals. The loser in this case would get another opportunity to reach the finals in the Qualifier 2. The bottom two teams in top four on the table shall clash in the Eliminator. The winner of the Eliminator shall have to play the loser of the Qualifier 1 in the Qualifier 2. The winner at this stage would then go through to the finals to meet the winner of the Qualifier 1. In the finals, two best teams shall compete for the ultimate glory — the coveted DCL T20 Trophy 2013. Among hot favorites to clinch the trophy are Baba Reshi Lions (Khanyar), Mirza Gladiators (Hazratbal), Ghani Gliders (Zaina Kadal), Elegant Strikers (Rajouri Kadal), Jawahar Hawks (Eidgah) and Kehwa Knight Riders (Hawal). Teams like Alkhuddam (Nowhatta), Pride Riders (Raina Wari) and Kashmir Royal Stars (Buch Pora) might still surprise many a team, but would require wins in almost all their remaining games and also better their Net Run Rate (NRR). Ad-Life Stars (Khayam), Kashmir Super Kings (Badam Wari) and Ahad Warriors (Nawa Kadal) stand no realistic chance of making it to the top four and therefore can now play the spoilsport and spoil parties for other potentially serious contenders. Some experts are already predicting a final between Baba Reshi Lions and Mirza Gladiators. With participation of local stars like Abid Nabi, Ubaid Haroon, Umar Alam, Mehjoor Ali, Huwaid Hamid, Asif Khan, Showkat Kota, Owais Shah, Amir Banday, Aslam Bhat, Mansoor, Rouf Bisati, Jehangir Lone, Hashim, Jaleel, Rafiq Baba, Manzoor Gudoo, and many others, the DCL T20 2013 has become a huge hit amongst cricket crazy fans in the Kashmir Valley. Players from Jammu, Delhi and Baroda too have added flavor to the cricket league. Presence of Rakesh Koul, Raman Dutta, Aditya Pratap, Sahil Sharma, Kamran Mehdi and Prateek has definitely enhanced the fan following and spectator interest in the DCL’s first edition. Players who for some reasons could not participate in the first season of DCL are ruing their decision and expressing hope to be part of the league in its second edition. ------------------------------ends-----------------------
Posted on: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 15:35:46 +0000
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