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I won’t go into the details of Subash Shahi’s early life. As a cricket fan, the first time I met Subash ‘dai’ was on a small paddy-field-like ground in Minbhawan, near Baneshwor. After school, my friends and I would gather there to play cricket. Those were the best days of our lives. I had a bat wrapped in black tape, and that was enough. Having a red tennis ball wasn’t a big deal back then. If we had a bat, cricket was easy to play. Some open spaces in Baneshwor, which weren’t yet developed, allowed us to enjoy the game.

Subash dai caught my attention with his smiley face. Even now, you’ll find most of his photos with a big smile. He was loved by everyone on the ground. His bowling action reminded me of Michael Kasprowicz from Australia. If you don’t know Kasprowicz, let me tell you he was the bowler who once made Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, sit on the bench for almost a year during their dominant era. Subash dai’s action was similar to Kasprowicz’s, though, of course, he wasn’t as fast. He got many wickets because he was older and more experienced than the rest of us (laughs).

Here’s a funny thing Subash dai probably had no idea we even played together back then. I shared this story with him when we met again after almost a decade, and at first, he didn’t remember those moments. But later, the memory came back to him.

So, why am I writing about Subash dai? Many might ask, “Why not write about other cricketers who’ve made cricket famous in Nepal?” But in the context of Nepali cricket, few people have invested so much money and effort into its development purely out of love for the game. At the top of that list is Shahi.

Born and raised in Dhangadi, Shahi always dreamed of making Dhangadi a hub for producing young cricketers. He started his own cricket academy in his hometown to achieve this dream. Coming from a prestigious political family, his father was the founder of SPA College in Dhangadi. The college not only has an excellent reputation for academics but is also known for producing local cricketers with its outstanding facilities.

A turning point in Nepali cricket history was when Nepal qualified for its first-ever Men’s T20 World Cup in 2014. This event united the entire country. Every young kid dreamed of playing for Nepal one day. While cricket was gaining recognition, the lack of infrastructure and proper pay for players was a big issue.

As a passionate cricket fan, Shahi closely observed all of this. In 2017, he came up with the idea of a Franchise Cricket League the first of its kind in Nepal. It wasn’t easy back then, as getting paid well for playing cricket was beyond any player’s dreams. But he initiated the process, held player auctions, and divided them into six franchise teams. That’s how the Dhangadi Premier League was born.

All the top Nepali cricket players participated in the tournament, which was covered by the media and broadcast live on television. Superstars like Jonty Rhodes even came to promote DPL. Shahi, was the mastermind behind the event. The first edition was a massive hit. Crowds filled the stadium, and it became one of the most-watched events on Nepali TV at the time. This inspired others to invest in cricket, and Subash deserves full credit for stepping in at such a critical time in Nepali cricket history.

Sadly, the tournament only lasted for two editions, but its impact was huge. His efforts set the foundation for other cricket initiatives in Nepal.

Apart from cricket, Shahi has also invested in football. He owns Dhangadi FC, a franchise football team that has performed well in the Nepal Super League. But his biggest role yet is being appointed as the Director of Fapla Cricket Stadium, a 40,000-seater stadium under construction. Once completed, it will set new standards for Nepali cricket. Subash is the right man for the job, and we hope the stadium will be completed under his leadership.

Dhangadi is already the powerhouse of Nepali cricket, and with Subash’s efforts, it might truly become the cricketing capital of Nepal.

Bradley John Hodge, famously known as the “Smiling Assassin,” was a classic, elegant right-handed batsman who left a lasting impression with his signature blue Kookaburra bat sticker and the mesmerizing strokes he played during his prime. Representing Australia and his Sheffield team, Hodge also led the Victoria Cricket Team, a powerhouse of talent during the early days of T20 cricket. Victoria was often referred to as Australia’s “B team” due to the extraordinary players it produced, including Hodge himself, Cameron White, David Hussey, Peter Siddle, and Aaron Finch, all of whom posed significant threats to opponents.

Hodge was undoubtedly one of the most revolutionary batsmen of his time, with an exceptional understanding of the game, thanks to his vast experience. Before the rise of T20 cricket, he had already made his mark, holding records that showcased his dominance in the highest form of the game. As the highest run-scorer in Australian domestic cricket for Victoria and a T20 format champion, his credentials are unparalleled.

Although his international career was relatively short, in an era where securing a spot in the Australian national team was an extraordinary achievement, Hodge still averaged above 50 in Test cricket. He was also a proud member of the victorious 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup squad. Hodge truly shone in the T20 leagues, showcasing his elegant stroke play, big-hitting ability that cleared even the largest fences, and his astute captaincy. His contributions to the IPL during its early years were immense, as he brought vast experience and served as a crucial member of his franchise until his retirement.

As a coach, Hodge’s wealth of experience has benefited many international teams and franchise squads. His impact is now set to be felt by the Sudurpaschim Royals, not just because of his expertise but also due to his sheer presence, which is sure to electrify the crowd. Coaching a Nepali-based team is always a bonus, but having a personality like Brad Hodge, with his immense experience and stature, is a significant advantage.

Hodge, aka “Brad Hodge,” brings a “Big B” aura to the team, capable of polishing Nepal’s undiscovered diamonds. His contributions will undoubtedly be invaluable, not just for the franchise but for Nepali cricket as a whole.

As we gear up for the Nepal Premier League (NPL), the excitement is growing by the day. And why not? This time, the stage is bigger than ever, featuring over 30 foreign players, many of whom have international experience.

The epicenter of this cricketing spectacle is the TU Cricket Ground, nestled in the heart of the Kathmandu Valley. Surrounded by majestic hills and mountains, this charming stadium has recently undergone a stunning makeover, leaving cricket fans eager to fill the seats. For those who miss out on the stands, the lush green grass will undoubtedly provide a cozy spot to enjoy the matches in this pleasant winter weather.

As eight teams battle it out for the coveted silverware, we can’t help but reflect on how franchise cricket began worldwide. Franchise cricket has offered hope to those who dream of pursuing the sport seriously. In the past, cricket was largely confined to matches between the eight Test-playing nations. Associate nations had limited opportunities, appearing only sporadically in tournaments like the World Cup, Champions Trophy, or Asia Cup. Until recently, T20 cricket was played almost exclusively in England, and the World Cup occurred only once every four years.

I will be discussing the birth of the T20 format in another article. This one, however, is about the birth of T20 franchise cricket. Many might assume that the Indian Premier League (IPL) was the pioneer of the franchise T20 league format. However, the credit for starting the first-ever T20 franchise cricket league goes to the ICL (Indian Cricket League). Sounds familiar, right? The ICL was formed before the IPL came onto the scene.

Kapil Dev, hailed as a hero and the only Indian captain to win the Cricket World Cup at the time, served as the chairman of the ICL. The league was born out of discontent over TV rights with the BCCI. Despite Zee Group offering the highest bid for broadcasting Indian cricket matches, the deal was rejected by the board. In response, Zee Group decided to form its own league—just as Kerry Packer had done in the 1970s.

Though the ICL didn’t send shockwaves across the cricketing world, it certainly caused a stir within the BCCI and ICC. The format itself was revolutionary, introducing city-based franchise teams—a concept that was unheard of at the time. This trend, which began with the ICL, laid the foundation for what the world now embraces: franchise-based leagues. From the IPL to the Big Bash, PSL, and Caribbean Premier League, every major T20 cricket tournament today owes its existence to the franchise cricket model first popularized by the ICL and later perfected by the IPL.

It’s no surprise that the BCCI would never have welcomed, let alone allowed, the ICL to operate in their own backyard. They swiftly took action, announcing a lifetime ban on Kapil Dev and barring all cricketers who participated in the rebel league. Players like Ambati Rayudu and Stuart Binny, who joined the ICL, were also banned. Moreover, the BCCI prohibited all stadiums under their control from being used for ICL matches.

Despite these obstacles, the tournament began and ran for merely two and a half years. It gained popularity during its first season, but everything changed when Lalit Modi announced a similar tournament—the IPL—which mimicked the ICL’s format. This marked the beginning of the ICL’s downfall. With declining viewership and growing competition from the IPL, the ICL and its rebel cricketing dream faded away after just a couple of years.

However, we must not overlook the significant impact the ICL had in shaping the franchise league concept into a global phenomenon. Without the birth of the ICL, one might wonder if the IPL would even exist today. The IPL’s inception was, in many ways, a direct counter-punch to the ICL. While the IPL is now a multi-billion-dollar sporting event, a small portion of the credit surely belongs to the ICL for being the first to introduce this revolutionary concept.