Advocate Cricket League unveils trophy and conducts auction for 2025 season

Goa Khabar : The Advocate Cricket League (ACL) unveiled its 2025 Trophy and conducted a player auction yesterday on December 09 at the Gasper Dias Club, Miramar. The event, graced by Chief Guest Dr. Sagar Salgaonkar, CEO and owner of Estilo Moderno Realty and Geno Pharmaceuticals and cricket enthusiast, along with ACL President Advocate Iftikhar Agha, marks the start of preparations for the sixth edition of the league.

The ACL 2025 season will feature six teams: Lawyer Challengers, Risers, Lotlikar Lions, Legal Titans, 18 Juners, and United Brothers. For the first time in the league’s history, an auction system was introduced, designed to ensure fair distribution of players and to foster greater unity among participants. Speaking at the event, ACL President Advocate Iftikhar Agha said, “For the past five years, we have seen great success with this tournament. This time, we decided to hold an auction to mix the teams and give everyone a chance to know each other better. Our main motive is to bring all lawyers together, and through this auction, no team can claim to be weaker than another. It is about unity and sportsmanship.”

The ACL 2025 will be a T20 format, and in keeping with the league’s goal of inclusivity, each team will be required to field at least two players over the age of 40 In every match. Additionally, the introduction of an “Impact Player” – a 12th player who can only bat – is aimed at increasing participation. This season will also feature a female player, further highlighting the league’s commitment to promoting diversity in the sport.

Dr. Sagar Salgaonkar, during the trophy unveiling, praised the initiative, stating, “The Advocate Cricket League has become an event that lawyers across Goa look forward to every year. Though I am not an advocate, I have seen the level of cricket played here, and it’s impressive. Cricket unites people across the country, and I believe this league is a great way to bring together lawyers, not just on the field but off it as well.”

The tournament Is set to begin on January 24, 2025, with matches being played at the GCA Ground in Porvorim and the Chicalim Ground. The final, along with the qualifying and eliminator matches, will be held under floodlights at the GCA Ground on February 22, 2025.