Great Himalaya Cricket Academy is set to organise the second Himalaya Cricket League for Under-19 age group players at Mulpani cricket grounds from December 5 to 20.

According to GHCA President Sudeep Sharma, the tournament will include six young sides. “The major objective of organising this tournament is to provide the Under-19 players with the experience of the longer version of the game. It will also serve as a precious platform where new talents can harness their skills and find the exposure they need,” said Sharma

Nepal, despite having several domestic tournaments for the shorter format of cricket— Twenty20 and 50-over matches— does not have a longer format tournament. In the recent Nepal Legacy Tour of the Marylebone Cricket Club, Nepal’s senior men’s team secured a five-wicket win against the visitors in the 50-over match but failed miserably in the three-day match as they were thrashed by 208 runs.

The organisers, however, have yet to decide on the format of the tournament, “We have the option of a round-robin league format, but we are yet to decide on that. We think that this red-ball tournament will help develop the young cricketers mentally and physically for the longer and more challenging format of the game,” said Sharma.

Based on the format of the tournament, each team will be provided with 60 overs to bat in their first innings while the second innings would be of unlimited overs. A minimum of 96 overs will be bowled in a single day. The organisers are still working on other rules and regulations including the point system for the tournament.

According to the organisers, the tournament’s expenditure reaches around five million rupees. “Winners of the tournament, runners up and best performers in individual categories will be rewarded with cash prizes,” said the organisers without making public other details.