KATHMANDU: Shangri-La Cricket Academy in support with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is organising the Indian Ambassador’s Cricket Cup here at the Tribhuvan University Stadium from February 19.

In all six teams — five development regions and Nepal Armed Police Force Club — will compete in the league-cum-knockout Twenty20 tournament. The teams have been divided into two groups with top two sides making it to the final. 

The winners will get Rs 150,000 — the highest cash prize ever in the Twenty20 format played in Nepal — while the runners up take home Rs 100,000. The National Twenty20 Cricket Tournament organised by the cricket governing body gave away Rs 125,000 to the winners last year, while the 50-over National Tournament carried a purse of Rs 150,000 for the winners. Meanwhile, man-of-the-series will also pocket Rs 25,000 and man-of-the-final Rs 5,000. Every man-of-the-match will also get Rs 2,500. 

The Indian Embassy will look after the players’ transportation throughout the tournament while they will also provide Rs 800 to each player as daily allowance. CAN general secretary Ashok Nath Pyakurel said the tournament will be a warm-up event ahead of the sixth National Games, adding it will also keep the national cricketers — preparing for March 13-24 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier to be held in Dubai — busy after India tour. 

The national team is currently on an 11-day Mumbai tour as part of their preparation for the UAE event. Indian Embassy first secretary Apoorva Shrivastava, said they will continue to sponsor the tournament every year.