Men’s PM Cup is currently one of the most talked about topics across Lumbini Province as local cricket fans are overjoyed to see national stars playing in their locality with three different grounds hosting matches simultaneously.

Two grounds in Rupandehi—Siddhartha Cricket Stadium and Extratech Cricket Oval—and the Dang-based Deukhuri International Cricket Stadium are hosting 45 league-stage games between 10 teams and a final.

Siddhartha Stadium is hosting 16 league games while Extratech and Deukhuri are organising 15 and 14 matches, respectively. The final, between the top two teams based on points, will be played at Siddhartha Cricket Stadium on March 29.

“We were allowed to host some games of the previous edition. This time, we have a bigger role,” said Hari Bahadur Thapa, president of Rupandehi District Cricket Association. “Our team is working day and night to make this event a grand success.”

Thapa said that the district association was working according to suggestions from the provincial and central bodies to complete the tournament without any issues.

“I am happy to see my home province become an alternative to Kathmandu for one of the biggest domestic tournaments,” said Dev Khanal, former national U-19 skipper who has played for the senior team as well. “The new generation of cricketers in Lumbini has got the chance to watch the matches of professional and experienced players at their doorsteps.”

Khanal, who captains Lumbini in the tournament, believes that the opportunity to play across three grounds and conditions is also beneficial for the players.

The Men’s PM Cup has also led Lumbini’s fans to forget the last-place finish in the first season of the Nepal Premier League.

“Hosting all the games of Men’s PM Cup, Lumbini Province has shown the ability to host international games as well,” said Pradeep Majgaiyan, president of Dang District Cricket Association.

Majgaiyan also believes that the games in Dang have given an impetus to their plan of promoting cricket in the district. “More games mean more attraction. Local cricket development requires support from local people and businesses, and such tournaments create a conducive environment for it.”

Prashant Bikram Malla, former acting secretary at the Cricket Association of Nepal, said that Lumbini can establish itself as the hub of cricket in Nepal.

“We produced many players from Siddhartha Cricket Stadium,” he said. “Now we are hosting them and other superstars.”

Furthermore, the addition of Extratech Cricket Oval, Nepal’s first cricket ground with floodlights, under a private investment of Binod Kunwar has aided cricket infrastructure development in the region.

“I love cricket,” said Punaram Pokharel, a cricket fan in Rupandehi. “I used to watch many games while in India, but it was not possible in Rupandehi since the district did not host such games.”

Now, in his retired life, Pokharel wanted to see Nepali cricket stars play live. “Rupandehi proved that even districts other than Kathmandu can host national stars,” said Pokharel, who has been visiting the PM Cup games in Rupandehi regularly. “I am happy to see our national players without having to travel far.”

Furthermore, stakeholders argued that the tournament has supported other businesses as well in the area.

The players and teams have been kept in 10 hotels of Bhairahawa, according to Sanjay Gurung, president of Lumbini Province Cricket Association. Four hotels have been booked in Lamahi for players visiting Dang for games, he said.

Gurung added that security forces have provided full support for the safety and transportation of players.

“We are following all the standards set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for this tournament,” Gurung said. “We want to show CAN that Lumbini can successfully host international-level games as well.”