Everest Premier League Ltd on Monday announced the dates for the fourth edition of the Everest Premier League Twenty20 cricket tournament.

This season's tournament has been scheduled for February 29 to March 14. The date was pushed back from December considering the pleasant spring season, said the organisers on Monday. The tournament has set itself apart from rest of the T20 leagues of the country like Dhangadi Premier League and Pokhara Premier League largely due to its ability to draw international stars as well as efficient management.

Ryan Ten Doeschate, Mohammad Naveed, Babar Hayat, Paul van Meekeren, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul Stirling, Kevin O'Brien and Richard Levi were some of big names to feature in the six-team tournament last edition. Lalitpur Patriots are the defending champions. Panchakanya Tej won the inaugural event before Biratnagar Warriors won the second. Apart from Patriots and Warriors, Chitwan Tigers, Kathmandu Kings XI, Pokhara Rhinos and Bhairahawa Gladiators completed the squads the last term.

In order to draw crowds in greater number, the organisers have scheduled matches spreading across three weekends. The organisers have also made it mandatory for teams to include at least one big name from international cricket as Iconic Player. The Iconic Player must be from Test-playing nations. The organisers said they have already started correspondence with the International Cricket Council to get approval for the event as well as its date.