The Betbarter T10 Tajikistan Premier League (TPL) is poised to make a much anticipated return this year. Originally scheduled to be held in July 2020, the tournament fell victim to the mass cancellations and postponements caused by the coronavirus pandemic, like many others around the world.
However, the Cricket Federation of Tajikistan has been working hard in collaboration with the national government’s Youth and Sports Committee to ensure that the tournament doesn’t suffer the same fate for the second year running. Fixture dates have been tentatively pencilled in for August, which is an ideal month to host cricketing activities in Dushanbe. It will be peak summer, hot and devoid of precipitation with average highs of 35C and lows of 18C.
According to the Federation, representatives from the embassies of Afghanistan, England, India and Pakistan will be taking part in the tournament, in addition to local Tajik players. There is also a joint initiative between the British Embassy and the Federation to acquire the services of an international coach in the lead-up to TPL. It is understood that this will be a temporary appointment, to help out with training and development.
If the tournament goes ahead, it will become the 3rd BetBarter sponsored T10 event worldwide, after similar events were held in Vanuatu and Zambia last year. The Vanuatu edition in particular was an extraordinary success, pulling in over 600,000 global views for the grand final between the Sharks and Panthers.
In a previous chat with Emerging Cricket, General Manager of the Cricket Federation of Tajikistan, Asadullah Khan explained the Federation’s choice of the T10 format to showcase cricket.
“We first got approached by SAI Business Services and Betbarter, as they wanted to help us in developing the game of cricket here. And T10 is the best format to build awareness and entertain the local people.”
With the Uzbekistan Premier League (UPL) tournament also slated to take place in August 2021, two separate national cricket competitions will be running concurrently in the neighbouring countries for the first time. It has serious potential to herald the start of a brave new dawn for cricket in the Central Asian region.
Additional details about the TPL T10 tournament are listed below.
Tournament Details
Name: Betbarter T10 Tajikistan Premier League
Dates: August 2021
Format: Double round robin and knockout (6 teams and 33 games)
Teams: Dushanbe Kings, Wahdat Supergiant, Norak Warriors, Khujand Challenger, Kulob Knightriders and Khalton Royals
Venue: Vahdat Ground, Dushanbe
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