Cricket is a gentlemen’s game played with 11 players on each team. The game was established in England. In Nepal, The Ranas were the first to play the game. In the past, Nepali cricket was not well known across the Nation. The people were not familiar with it.
The Nepali cricket team, including the most significant players like Paras Khadka, Shakti Gauchan, Sharad Veshwakar, and so on, were the players who had been there in the past. Nepal paid its first international T20 Asia Cup in 2014 AD. Our neighboring Nation, India, somehow influenced the cricket revolution in the past. The Nepali cricket team was not provided the proper equipment, well-managed ground, etc. which caused a negative impact on the games they played. In the past, in the late 1900s, cricket was played by the Ranas family, but later, the public started playing Cricket and now every Nepali loves to play Cricket.
The current captain of the Nepali cricket team is Rohit Kumar Paudel. The coach of the Nepali cricket team is Monti Desai. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has led the Nepal cricket team. Only last January did the Nepal team own or regain its ODI status. They recently won the ACC premier league, including nations like UAE, Oman, etc. After winning that league, they qualified for the Asia Cup in 2023. Nepal has achieved the most significant in playing the Asia Cup, where the world’s top teams participated. Nepal played a match against the strong side- Pakistan and India in the group stage of the Asia Cup in 2023. Unfortunately, they lost both matches, but they played well. All Nepali are so proud.
The current Nepali Cricket team consists of great players like Sandip Lamichanne, Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Dipendra Singh Airee, Aasif Sheikh, etc. The Nepal team is enhancing their potentiality, skills, and experiences daily. The Nepal team was selected for the Asian Games held in China. Where National teams like Kenya and China participated. Moreover, Nepali cricket is supported by crazy fans across the Nation. The fans express love and respect towards the Nepali cricket team which is a great motivation. So, the player and team management are so blessed to have this Kind of support from their fans.
Regarding the future of Nepali cricket, the government should appropriately implement a budget to manage the ground. So, that crowd of fans would love to watch all the games. The player’s salary should be handsome so that a player gets motivated to play. The necessary equipment should be there for the Nepali cricket team. Hence, it enhances the Nepali cricket player’s capacity and power.
Moreover, Nepal is doing great, and day by day it has increased its popularity in the ICC ranking. Soon we will all witness Nepal playing in the World Cup 2024.
Therefore, Nepali cricket has the potential to make the Nation proud at the international level. The Cricket Ground should be constructed in every district to enhance the participation of youth in Cricket. The tournament should be organized frequently at all levels. The government should provide the necessary budgets. CAN should make a fair decision regarding the selection of players. All age-grouped players should be motivated and they should be equally given opportunities so that they can enhance their cricketing skills. Only then will the overall growth of Nepali Cricket.
By: Abhisek Rajbanshi (Management, E2)
