KPL Dubai Teaser season 3 turns out to be a brilliant bat and ball game
Nobody expected such a stunning performance, when KPL team owners XI invited the team formed by the cast and crew of the famous Malayalam movie hit 1983 branded by the Concord ventures Group. Both team played professionally at the Sevens ground on the Al Ain road in Dubai. Concord ventures group team 1983 put up a formidable score of 152 as per the T20 standards, when they batted first. Some brilliant shots from actors like Kunchacko Boban and Madan Mohan helped 1983 team to put up a challenging score in front of the experienced KPL team owners XI.
Neeraj Ramamurthy, owner of Wayanad Highlanders, and Shiva Pagarani, owner of Thrissur Dynamites, bagged two wickets apiece, while Farwaz of Kasargod Leopards chipped in with one wicket. The 1983 team scored 152 for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The KPL team made the chase looks easy, thanks to a brilliant opening partnership of 82 between Zamin Jaleel of Kannur Veerans and Biju Nair of Trivandrum Royals. Jaleel hit seven boundaries and scored 40 off 22 deliveries, while Biju scored 35 off 24 balls with five hits to the fence.
Madan sent back both openers as the KPL team lost three wickets in quick succession with the score reading 84 for three. But Qais Farooq of Calicut Zamorins played a crucial knock of 24 while Nashwan S chipped in with a useful 18. Neeraj remained unbeaten on 10 as the owners’ team reached their target in 18.4 overs.
KPL Brand ambassador and super star Suresh Gopi and celebrity guest Narain were also present to cheer up the crowd.
KPL directors Paul T Joseph, T S Kaladharan, CTK Nazir, Thomas C Philip and Ajith Thayyil presented the prizes for the winners after the match.
KPL PRESS CONFERENCE
Prior to the teaser match in Dubai, the KPL Management committee and the 1983 movie crew jointly conducted a press conference both in Cochin & Dubai.
The media packed press meet in Cochin was held at Holiday Inn which was attended by Actors Nivin Pauly, Anoop Menon, and Director Abrid Shine on behalf of Movie 1983 and T.S. Kaladharan (Chairman, CSS Group), Ajit Thayyil (Director, Space Max Contracting LLC), Paul Joseph (Managing Director, AAA Group) and Sridhar (MD, Concord venture Group) on behalf of KPL Dubai. BCCI member and KCA president T C Mathew also attended the function.
In Dubai the press conference conducted at The India Club on the 09th April was attended by Actors Suresh Gopi, Nivin Pauly and Joju George on behalf of Movie 1983 and T.S. Kaladharan (Chairman, CSS Group), Arjun Bose (Director, CSS Abudhabi & Owner, Alleppey Ripples team) Paul Joseph (Managing Director, AAA Group) and Sridhar (MD, Concord venture Group) on behalf of KPL Dubai.
About KPL (Kerala Premier League)
The first of its kind T20 Cricket in UAE – Asian Cricketing with Middle Eastern seasoning! A total of 14 Glorious Teams named with 14 Districts from Kerala. Each team consists of a minimum of 3 players preferable from the respective districts of Kerala in a playing XI and the remaining from local talent with one player under the age of 22 and maximum of 2 overseas players. KPL Dubai is the biggest ASIAN sporting event providing you with the opportunity to be known to and reach, one of the largest communities in the region.
After the super hit Indian Premier League and in consideration of the 4.5 million Asian populations in the UAE – the highest number among all expats, Kerala Premier League Dubai was formed under the guidance and support from the Dubai Cricket Council, and the generous patronage from the sponsors and the cricket loving community in Dubai. KPL successfully completed 2 seasons of cricketing festival in Dubai and is now entering the third season with a bang. A team of successful businessmen with passion for sports supported by experienced professional advisors formed the KPL DUBAI.
The KPL Dubai management expressed their sincere gratitude to the team members of 1983 Movie led by Abride Shine, and consisted of actors like Nivin Pauly, Joju, Gregory, Saiju Kurup and Kalabavan Prajod and the celebrity guests, Kunchacko Boban, Naraine, Martin Prakkat and Sugeeth who were present for the event. A special thanks to DJ Kips and Riyaz for their live performance at the venue.