Nepal’s national cricket team played the first One Day International match against the Netherlands in the opponent team’s home ground on Wednesday. This day will remain a milestone in Nepal’s sporting history. Watching Nepal’s national team play an ODI match live was a dream-come-true moment for millions of Nepali cricket fans, and especially for those who grew up cheering for other national teams in international games. This was possible only after an excellent performance by the present national cricket team led by captain Paras Khadka in ICC World Cup Qualifiers matches held in Zimbabwe in March of this year. Also, a large number of cricketers, coaches and sports officials have toiled hard for over two decades to lay ground for this day. Nepal first acquired the affiliate membership of the cricket’s world governing body International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1988 and then succeeded to become an associate team in 1996. Since then, Nepali cricketers as well as fans always dreamt to secure the ODI status, which is considered a big achievement for any national cricket team. 

Nepal’s national cricketers have established cricket as a strong and inspiring factor to unify our youths not only within but out of the country. There is hardly any country where Nepal’s national team doesn’t receive support from huge Nepali crowd within the stadium when they are in a nail-biting competition. Nepal’s national team has earned not only domestic fans but also unbelievable number of admirers and well-wishers outside the country. International cricketers, analysts and officials have not only cheered for Nepali team but also shown extraordinary gestures to Nepali players such as our teenage cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane, who has stolen international limelight in the recent months. Unfortunately, domestic affairs of Nepal’s cricket are quite frustrating. Nepal’s cricket body Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has been a victim of politics. Following a series of internal disputes, the ICC suspended the CAN and national actors have failed to settle the disputes as required by the international body to reinstate it. 

Another frustrating aspect is about cricket infrastructure. While our national team and individual players have attained international achievements and displayed world-class performance in international competitions, they don’t have a single cricket ground with international standards to play here at home. The government has failed to complete the under-construction Mulpani Cricket Stadium even years after the construction work in the field had begun in the outskirts of Kathmandu. Likewise, the government hasn’t put minimum efforts to upgrade Kirtipur’s TU Cricket Ground, the only place where Nepal has been organizing international games. Thus it has become imperative to take initiatives needed to reinstate the CAN and to complete the Mulpani Cricket Stadium and upgrade Kirtipur’s Ground immediately. Similarly, it is equally important to ensure players that their future is secure. Some organizations from private sectors have shown interest in the field which should be encouraged from all sides. Organization of local franchise tournaments such as Everest Premier League and Dhangadhi Premier League has contributed a lot in producing young talents. Securing some achievements is important but maintaining that status for years is more important. Nepal will lose the ODI status in two years if it fails to perform well. Thus we must create an environment for players where they can concentrate their efforts in the matches, maintain this status and aspire for bigger achievements. As skipper Khadka has rightly said now the next target of Nepal’s national team is to play the World Cup and also secure status of the test-playing nation. For that, get the sports organizations rid off dirty local politics and upgrade national sports infrastructure immediately.

 
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