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Cricket is a bat and ball game which is popular among commonwealth countries. It contains 2 teams with 11 players each. One team bats whereas the other team bowls. The objective of the batting team is to score as many runs as possible within a limited time whereas the bowling team’s objective is to restrict the batting team. The bowling team then bats and tries to chase the total runs set by the batting team. There are various formats of cricket, namely Test, One Day Internationals and Twenty 20 cricket. Among these formats, T20 has gained more popularity as it is a limited overs format and the results generally go down to the wire. The laws of the game are governed by International Cricket Council (ICC) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The origins of cricket can be dated back to 16th century England. Historically, Nepal was not popular for its cricket however in recent time cricket fever has reached an all-time high in Nepal. Here are some of the facts about cricket in Nepal.
Origins
Origin of cricket can be dated back to 1920s when Lt. General Madan Sumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, youngest son of then prime minister Chandra Sumsher Jung Bahadur Rana. Due to cricket being considered a gentleman’s game cricket was limited to the ruling Rana family and elites. Cricket Association of Nepal was established in 1946 with the aim of promoting cricket.
International Membership
Nepal became the affiliate member of International Cricket Council in 1988. Similarly, Nepal became Associate Member of the ACC in 1990 and became a full member in 1994.
In 1996, Nepal became the associate member of ICC and participated in the ACC trophy in Kuala Lumpur. It finished fourth out of six teams in their first round group in this competition.
International Tournaments
Nepal has been participating in International matches since 1996. The ACC tournaments Nepal has participated are ACC Fast Track Countries Tournament in 2004, 2005 and 2006, ACC Twenty20 Cup in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013, Asian Games in 2010 and 2014 and ACC Premier League in 2014. The only ACC tournament Nepal hasn’t participated is the 2015 ACC Twenty 20 Cup in UAE.
The ICC tournaments that Nepal has participated in are: Twenty 20 ICC World Cup 2014 in Bangladesh, ICC World Cup Qualifier in 2001 and 2014, ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2012, 2013 and 2015 and ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2004 and 2005.
Cricket Ground
Nepal plays its international matches at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground located at Kirtipur, Nepal. It has hosted lots of domestic as well as international tournaments. First recorded match was played in 1998 between Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea. In 2004, Nepal took part in 2004 and 2005 Intercontinental Cup which is the only first class tournament hosted at the ground. The ground was partially damaged in the 2015 Nepal earthquake and subsequent renovation has taken place.
Records and fun facts
Nepal’s first Twenty 20 International series was against Hong Kong in November 2014. Only one game was played due to poor weather conditions that Nepal lost. However, Nepalese batsman Sompal Kami scored 40 runs off 31 balls batting at number 10. This is the world record for highest runs scored by a player at that position.
Raju Khadka is the first Nepalese player to score a century in international cricket. He scored unbeaten 105 off 50 balls against Bhutan at the ACC Emerging Nations Cup in 2003.
Nepal played first-class cricket for the first time in 2004.
In 2006, Nepal played against Myanmar at the 2006 ACC trophy. This match is regarded by many as the greatest mismatch ever. Nepal won the toss and sent Myanmar to bat first. Myanmar scored a total of 10 runs in 12.1 overs. Extras top scored with 3 runs and Nepal recorded the win in just 2 balls.
Mehboob Alam is the Guinness World Record holder for becoming the first bowler to take all ten wickets in limited overs ICC international cricket match against Mozambique at 2008 ICC World Cricket League Division Five, Jersey.
Nepal’s first international tournament win was the 2010 ICC World Cricket League Division 5 final win against USA.
Nepal’s first match against full member team was against Sri Lanka at 2010 Asian Games.
Shakti Gauchan is also in the record books. His spell of 10-8-2-3 against Malaysia in 2012 ICC World Twenty 20 qualifier is the best economical figure in limited over cricket.
