Baku, July 21 -- The Baku Malayalee Association (BMA) successfully organised the inaugural edition of its cricket tournament, the BMA Champions League, in Baku, witnessing enthusiastic participation from members of the Indian diaspora in Azerbaijan.

Inspired by the world-famous Indian Premier League (IPL) format, the tournament brought together players, organisers and cricket enthusiasts for a celebration of sport, camaraderie and community spirit.

Preparations for the tournament had been underway for more than a month. As part of the unique IPL-style format, a player auction was organised in June, during which the four franchise teams competed to secure the best talent for their respective squads. The innovative format generated tremen...