Nepal, Feb. 17 -- When Kathmandu Goldens chased down a target of 133 runs against two-time defending champions Dhangadhi Stars in the tournament opener of the Dhangadhi Premier League (DPL) on February 11, the anticipation was all about batsmen ruling the game. But six days after the franchise competition began, the talk has been all about a slow Fapla pitch, string of low totals and weather.

In an unpredictable Fapla pitch, which was looked after by curators from Mumbai, batsmen have been struggling. Most of the teams have made spin as their major weapon, spinners leading the attack from the first over in almost every game is a clear example. The boundaries have become rare. The bowlers have become dominant in the powerplays and the slo...