Chandigarh, Aug 30 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday launched the inaugural Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cricket League, describing the franchise-based tournament as a significant platform for emerging cricketers from the state to showcase their talent, gain valuable exposure and progress in the sport.
Organised by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), the first edition of the league will feature six teams and will be played at the PCA Cricket Stadium in Mohali through September 13, according to an official statement.
Interacting with the players and organisers in the presence of Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president Amarjeet Mehta, the Chief Minister stated that the league would give talented cricketers from Punjab an opportunity
to compete on a major platform and learn alongside established players.
“Sher-e-Punjab T20 League is being organised to promote cricket in Punjab and provide greater opportunities to talented cricketers to advance in the sport. The league is being organised for the first time by the Punjab Cricket Association on the lines of the IPL,” he said.
The inaugural ceremony was held on Sunday, with the first match of the tournament being played between Amritsar Soormas and Mohali Kings. All matches are being played at the PCA Cricket Stadium in Mohali.
“Today, it is a matter of immense pride for Punjab that the captains of both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams are from Punjab, Shubman Gill and Harmanpreet Kaur respectively. As many as 21 players from Punjab are currently playing for different teams in the IPL,” Mann said.
He said the Indian men’s cricket team currently has four players from Punjab, including Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar.
Six franchise teams are participating in the inaugural edition, with leading cricketers from Punjab at the helm of each team. Fazilka Falcons are captained by Shubman Gill, Ludhiana Lions by Arshdeep Singh, Amritsar Soormas by Abhishek Sharma, Jalandhar Warriors by Prabhsimran Singh, Mohali Kings by Ramandeep Singh and Bathinda Royals by Gurnoor Brar.
The league also features prominent Punjab cricketers, including Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Naman Dhir, Vihaan Malhotra, Imanjot Singh Chahal, Ashwani Kumar and Krish Bhagat. Out of a pool of more than 450 players from Punjab, 119 players have been selected through an auction to represent the different franchises.
Mann said the state government is leaving no stone unturned to promote sports and create better sporting infrastructure across Punjab.
“Sports is the most lethal weapon against the war on drugs. That is why the state government is laying special thrust on sports and providing youngsters with opportunities to channelise their energy in a positive direction,” he said.
He said 3,100 playgrounds are being constructed across the state to promote sports at the grassroots level and encourage youngsters to take up sporting activities.
Mann said the Punjab government has made the highest-ever budgetary provision for sports in the state, which is helping provide better facilities and opportunities to players.
He also said that his government will organise the biggest sports extravaganza, Khedan Watan Punjab Dian, from Bathinda on September 5.
“Three generations of players will participate in this sporting event, making it a unique celebration of Punjab’s sporting spirit,” he said. PTI SUN ATK
