Shubhamita Bhattacharjee
GUWAHATI, July 23: Charaideo Sunrisers will take on Barpeta Braves in the opening match of the inaugural Assam Premier League (APL), which gets underway at the ACA Stadium here on August 1. The opening day will feature a double-header, with Tezpur Titans taking on Dibrugarh Warriors in the second match, scheduled for 7:00 PM.
The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) on Wednesday unveiled the full schedule for the championship. The inaugural season will comprise 43 matches, including 40 league-stage fixtures, two semi-finals and the final. A total of eight franchises will compete in the first edition of the tournament, which will run for 23 days.
During the league stage, each team will face every other team once, in addition to three reverse fixtures, creating the possibility of exciting rematches and emerging rivalries as the race for the top four intensifies.
The league phase will feature two matches every day, with the afternoon game beginning at 2:00 PM and the evening fixture at 7:00 PM. The league stage will continue until August 20, after which the tournament will move into the knockout phase.
The opening weekend promises plenty of action. On August 2, Barak Legends will take on Nagaon Rangers in the afternoon, while Guwahati Royals will launch their campaign against Jorhat Stallions in the evening encounter.
Several fixtures are expected to attract considerable attention during the league stage. Dibrugarh Warriors and Guwahati Royals will meet twice—first under lights on August 10 and again on August 18. Charaideo Sunrisers and Guwahati Royals will also square off twice, on August 11 and August 19, in what could develop into one of the tournament's marquee rivalries.
Tezpur Titans and Guwahati Royals are scheduled to clash on August 8 and renew their rivalry on August 15, while Dibrugarh Warriors will face Jorhat Stallions on August 8 and again on August 16.
Barpeta Braves and Nagaon Rangers will meet on August 7 and August 16, while Charaideo Sunrisers will take on Nagaon Rangers on August 9 and August 17. Barpeta Braves and Barak Legends are also set for two encounters, scheduled on August 9 and August 17.
At the end of the league stage, the top four teams in the standings will qualify for the semi-finals on August 21. The second and third-placed teams will contest the first semi-final at 2:00 PM, while the league leaders will face the fourth-placed side in the second semi-final at 7:00 PM.
The inaugural Assam Premier League will conclude with the grand final on August 23, which is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM at the ACA Stadium.