The inaugural tournament in the heat of Mount Everest was the Nepal Open 2016 which took place in the beautiful city of Pokhara.

 

In total 8 teams participated in the tournament, among them 2 were local teams, and 6 teams travelled from Bangladesh including the some of the top ranked teams from the country. The teams were divided into 2 groups, Group A was made of Bangladeshi no.1 ranked team Computer Source, Novartis Saviors, the star studded Josephites Warriors (consisting of many ex-Bangladeshi national team players) and Machhapuchhare CC from Nepal. Computer Source and Josephites Warriors cruised past the group stage with 2 wins out of their first 2 matches and the encounter between them was washed out due to rain.

Group B was rather complicated with 4 teams proved to be of similar strengths, it consisted of SPZ Boyz, no. 2 ranked team of Bangladesh, Architect & Friends, Travel Booking BD and Pokhara 11 from Nepal. After some intense battles in the group stage, Pokhara 11, SPZ Boyz and Travel Booking BD all claimed 2 win each, but the later 2 made it to the semi final due to extra bonus point and better run rate respectively.

Pokhara LastManStands

In the first semi final, we had the biggest upset of the tournament where the pre-tournament favourite Josephite Warriors were beaten by an inspired Travel Booking side by 17 runs.

The game of the tournament in the 2nd semi final, where the top 2 ranked teams from Bangladesh contested. Computer Source narrowly edged past SPZ Boyz by 3 runs in a closely fought nail biting finish.

After 3 breath-taking days of cricket, we had a rather one sided final where Computer Source defeated Travel Booking BD by 93 runs and confirmed their spot for the World Championship in 2017.

Muhammad Lablur Rahaman of Computer Source was named the Man of the Final, Maroof Hassan Anik of SPZ Boyz was the batsman of the tournament and Agindra Chhantyal of Travel Booking BD got the bowler of the tournament award.

 

The following 8 players made it into the team of the tournament:

 

Computer Source became the first team ever from Bangladesh to have got a spot in LMS World Championship. They have proved over last 2 years that they are the best side of the country winning back to back Corporate League titles and is yet to lose a competitive game in LMS, their only 2 losses in LMS came in pre-season friendlies. After their triumph in Nepal Open, there are currently the 16th ranked team in the world, and a feat they can definitely be proud of.

 

They are one of the most disciplined sides to have participated in LMS, with a world class batting line-up and a decent bowling attack. Also, with the inspiring fielding performances they have put over the past few tournaments, Computer Source will definitely be a team to watch in Cape Town.