For national women's cricket team captain Rubina Chhetry, the Women's Champions League cricket tournament was a medium to experience a professional cricketer's life. "I have played a number of matches but they were mostly playing for country and never gave an experience of a professional cricketer playing for a club. This tournament gave me that opportunity," said Chhetry.

Chhetry's Kat Queens Kathmandu and four other franchise teams from various cities competed in the tournament which commenced on October 1. After a round-robin league format, Kat Queens and Chitwan Rhinos, led by another national team regular Indu Barma, played in the final. Barma's Rhinos defeated Chhetry's Queens to clinch the title.

Chhetry believes experience aside, this tournament has also provided a good platform for upcoming women cricketers to showcase their abilities in the sport. "New players could show what they were about in this tournament. It was also a good experience for others as well," said Chhetry who was recognized as the player-of-the-series.

The tournament could not have come at a better time. With the South Asian Games drawing close and women's cricket included in it for the first time, cricketers are more buoyed by the vital match experience they gained from this tournament.

National team skipper Chhetry said the tournament helped the players develop necessary skills and build confidence just before the Games. "If I was asked to play straight at the Games without taking part in the competition, I think it would not be possible for me to handle the pressure and nervousness," said Chhetry. "This tournament was like a warm up event for us as we were playing in our home ground with home supporters. Yes, we played against each other but it was a good learning experience," she added.

National women's cricket team coach Jagat Tamata lauds the role of such tournaments in preparation for a major sporting event. "It grooms the newcomers. The old ones also benefit quite a lot," said Tamata. Tamata said building confidence can be the difference in a player's performance and the tournament helped in that aspect. "Players have to to have the confidence that they can perform in front of others. Only after that we can expect better display from them."

Tamata said cricketers in the country require more match exposure to perform better. "The number of cricket tournaments must increase. Players should also be provided with the opportunity of playing in foreign conditions. Such exposure certainly helps them enhance their capacity," said Tamata.

Cricket Association of Nepal's General Secretary Ashok Nath Pyakurel said the cricket governing body has prioritised regular domestic events for both men and women in the days ahead. "This franchise league was not a part of the CAN's calendar but it has provided the players with some match exposure which benefits them," said Pyakurel. When asked about the schedule for the next domestic tournament, Pyakurel said they need more time for CAN to function properly and have to communicate with the International Cricket Council regarding organising the next tournament. "We need some time to be certain about approaching various aspects of CAN. We also have to speak to ICC first but hopefully it is going to be sooner," said Pyakurel.

Pyakurel was hopeful the national team would put some good performance in the South Asian Games. "Expecting a medal with test-playing nations that are also taking part in it is becoming overly ambitious. But I hope the national teams will play well," he said.

For Chhetry, it is important to get more game time to stay in their peak. But equally important is better perks to sustain their lives. "We have been asking this for a long time now. Support us better and help us explore more options to survive," she said. She was hopeful the new leadership in CAN would finally listen to them. "I don't think the World Cup is too far for us. We can reach there with a bit of effort. But we are lagging behind on minor issues. Let's see though, we are hopeful from the new leadership in the cricket governing body," said Chhetry.