Cricket in Nepal
This article needs to be updated.(December 2020) |
Cricket in Nepal | |
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Country | Nepal |
Governing body | Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) |
National team(s) | Men Women U-19 U-19 women |
First played | 1920 |
Registered players | 50000 |
Clubs | 4500 |
National competitions | |
List
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Club competitions | |
International competitions | |
List
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Cricket in Nepal has gained popularity over the years and has become the country's one of the most popular and widely followed sport. It rapidly grew popularity in the mid 2010s, following the slight successes of the Nepalese cricket team as well as the country's explosive rise in social media and television viewing influence from neighboring country India. It is played by many people throughout the country, especially in the Terai region. The biggest cricketing achievement of the national cricket team was when the team reached the qualification tournament of 2014 ICC World T20 held in Bangladesh. Nepal's playing season runs from September to November and starts again in March before finishing in May. As of October 2023, there were 3400 senior cricket clubs and over 35000 registered players in Nepal.[1]
History
Beginnings
In 1920s
After the introduction of democracy through the
ICC and ACC Membership
Improvements to the communication and transport infrastructure in Nepal allowed the game to expand outside Kathmandu in the 1980s,[2] and Nepal became an Affiliate Member of the ICC in 1988.[3] A major development programme began in the early 1990s, with regional and district tournaments established and cricket being promoted in the schools.[2] Nepal became an Associate Member of the ACC in 1990 and became a full member in 1994.
Interest in cricket increased quickly in the 1990s, and demand to play was such that the number of teams in tournaments had to be restricted until more facilities could be built.
1996-Present
Nepal became an Associate Member of the ICC in 1996,[3] which was the year the national side played for the first time, in the ACC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur. Nepal finished fourth out of six teams in their first round group in this competition, beating Brunei and Japan.[4] The achievement of this era was the historic win against Bangladesh in the 1999 ACC Trophy.
Nepal secured a 2002
Nepal played their first T20I World Cup in Bangladesh 2014 where they defeated Hong Kong and Afghanistan. Since then, Nepali cricket's fan following has been increasing day by day.
At 2016 U19 World Cup Nepal performed outstanding and reached quarter final. In 2018 Nepal secured a ODI status for the next 5 years after the win against PNG in ICC ODI World Cup Qualifier at Zimbabwe.
Governing Body
The
. It was formed in 1946.International ground
There are 65 grounds in Nepal with 17 turf wickets,[1] but international matches can be played only at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur and Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground on the outskirts of Kathmandu. The Pokhara Cricket Ground is the only other ground to host international cricket having hosted the women's tournament at the 2019 South Asian Games.
International cricket
Men's National Team
The Nepal National Cricket Team represents Nepal in international cricket matches.
Nepal have been participating in international cricket since 1996 when they competed in the
One Day International
The Nepalese team took part in their first one-day international on 1 August 2018 against the
T20 International
Nepal faced Hong Kong in their first Twenty20 international game on 16 March 2014 at the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 which was their first and only appearance at a major ICC event.[10] Nepal won two of their three matches in the tournament with wins against Hong Kong and Afghanistan and a loss against Bangladesh (their first international match against a full member) as they failed to make it past the first round on net run rate.[11][12][13] Nepal holds permanent T20I since 1 January 2019 after a decision by the International Cricket Council to T20I status to all member nations.[14]
Women's National Team
The Nepal national women's cricket team represents Nepal in international women's cricket matches. They made their international debut in the ACC Women's Tournament in Malaysia in July 2007. The women's team has competed in two Women's Asia Cup and regularly competes in Asian Cricket Council events. The women's team hold T20I status since 1 July 2018 after a decision by the International Cricket Council to give T20I status to all member nations.[14]
Domestic Cricket
The seven provinces each have their own team that compete during the domestic cricket season along with three departmental teams. The current domestic teams are:
- Koshi province
- Madhesh Province
- Bagmati Province
- Gandaki Province
- Lumbini Province
- Karnali Province
- Sudurpaschim Province
- Armed Police Force Club
- Nepal Police Club
- Tribhuwan Army Club
The ten teams compete in the
Moreover, six franchises each compete in the Dhangadhi Premier League, Everest Premier League and Pokhara Premier League.
School cricket
The SAAF School Cricket Series is an annual high school cricket championship run since 2014 by the Student Athletic Activities Foundation (SAAF).
See also
- Cricket Association of Nepal
- Nepal national cricket team
- Nepal national women's cricket team
- Nepal national under-19 cricket team
- National League
- Nepal Premier League
- SPA Cup
- List of cricket grounds in Nepal
- National League Cricket
- Asian Challenger Trophy
References
- ^ a b "Nepal". Asian Cricket Council. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-1899807512.
- ^ a b "ICC Members". Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ 1996 ACC Trophy Archived 13 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine at CricketEurope
- ^ "Nepal claim ODI status for the first time". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Michael Rippon's all-round display denies ODI debutants Nepal". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Nepal down Dutch in maiden ODI victory". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "At Nepal's first home ODI, cricket has a hero's homecoming". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Men's CWC League 2 Series in Nepal begins this week". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Nepal enters ICC World Twenty20 with thrilling win". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Nepal lay their marker with 80-run win". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Spirited Nepal trip up Afghanistan". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Bangladesh win emphatically in heavy dew". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ a b "All T20 matches between ICC members to get international status". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.