Nepal’s cricket team is scheduled to play two ODIs against Namibia in World Cricket League Division I. But neither the players, nor the team management are preparing for the fixture.
Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has not been able to appoint a new coach after Pubudu Dassanayake completed his tenure recently, and it has also not been able to convince ICC that Nepal can organise the matches in Kathmandu. ICC has threatened to award the hosting right to a third country if CAN is unable to settle its internal dispute, and prepare the Kirtipur ground for the tournament.
CAN CEO Bhawan Ghimire said that a closed camp would soon be organised for players who are in the capital. On appointing a new coach, she said that Jagat Tamata, who was assistant o Dassanayake, was the new coach of the national side.
Nepal’s national team skipper Paras Khadka says the environment itself is not suited for cricket in Nepal at the moment. “We need the right environment for us to bring good results. We haven’t had any national-level tournaments in the last two years. But we will definitely give our best against Namibia.
Will the event happen in Nepal?
The ICC has already hinted that it could award the hosting right to Greater Noida if Nepal is unable to comply with it standards. However, CAN officials say they are lobbying with the world governing body to change their mind and to allow Nepal to host the event.
ICC has enough reasons to shift the tournament to India as a court case related to CAN is sub-judice, and CAN has not been able to rebuild the Kirtipur ground after the earthquake last year.
