Does Nepal have the potential to become the next Test nation?

[Bleedgreen4ever]

I have been following Nepal since 2014 and was extremely delighted to see the huge following of cricket there.

Their U19 team is doing good too...

Cricket is probably the second most popular sport and is played by many youngsters in Nepal.

But their cricketing administration is very poor which is why I fear they might end up like Kenya..

I do hope that Nepal and the Netherlands emerge as the next test nations soon..both have a lot of potential.

What do you think?

 

[hadi123]

I doubt it. Will be a very long progress if they do. They are still far off the likes of Afghanistan and Ireland who only got Test status recently despite Ireland and Afghanistan's rise starting almost 10 years ago.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

I doubt it. Will be a very long progress if they do. They are still far off the likes of Afghanistan and Ireland who only got Test status recently despite Ireland and Afghanistan's rise starting almost 10 years ago.

Yes you are right it will be a very long process possibly by 2040 but will be a huge achievement for world cricket

 

[giri26]

Not needed at this point. We have two new test nations at the moment and them getting enough games is an issue. We don't need another one unless we are sure these teams will get the games they need to improve. Also Nepal needs to first play ODI's against top teams more often.

 

[hadi123]

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced its intention to introduce into its overseas touring programme a series of Legacy Tours, aimed at leaving a sustainable and meaningful impact in developing cricket nations. The first country that MCC will visit as part of the new initiative is Nepal.

Nepal has been chosen with input from the International Cricket Council in acknowledgement of the exciting point at which Nepali cricket is poised, with the national team recently granted One-Day International status and interest in the game growing throughout the country. MCC last toured Nepal in 2015 soon after the devastating earthquake which destroyed homes and amenities, including cricket facilities. The country has huge playing potential but limited infrastructure, which the Club will seek to address with the help of its charitable arm, the MCC Foundation. The Foundation will be raising funds and exploring ways in which to ensure that the benefits of the Club’s visits have a lasting impact.

John Stephenson, MCC Assistant Secretary (Cricket) said: “I am delighted to be able to announce that MCC’s first legacy tour will be to Nepal. The Nepal national team are at Lord’s today for a T20 triangular tournament against MCC and the Netherlands, and their match against the Netherlands has been designated an official International T20. This is the ideal time to harness the growing support for cricket in Nepal.”

Abi Carter, Director of the MCC Foundation, said: “There is potential to make a great impact on and off the pitch in Nepal, and the Foundation would like to encourage the MCC Membership and beyond to work with us to bring all the benefits of cricket to Nepali people. All our programmes will be aimed at leaving a sustainable legacy, to ensure the benefits are felt long after MCC’s legacy tour has been completed.”

Paras Khadka, captain of the Nepal Cricket Team, said: “There is so much passion for cricket in Nepal, and with the growth of the national team over the past few years, now is the time to connect that passion and put a structure and development path in place for the next generation of young Nepalese players.

“I am delighted that MCC has chosen Nepal as the first destination for its Legacy Tours and I hope that this will help create a sustainable approach to cricket in the country.”

The legacy tour initiative builds on MCC’s successful philanthropic involvement in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and will be a first step for the MCC Foundation in its mission to expand overseas and become a world-class cricket charity, as well making an impact close to home in Westminster, at a national level with its network of Hubs which provide free cricket to secondary state school young people.

 

[gazza619]

Interesting. Would be nice to have Nepal. Hopefully they can also import some Indian players and become a decent force sooner rather than later.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Nepal has good potential for cricket.They must play ODIs against the stronger teams especially against Ireland,Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.They should also play in the Asia Cup.

 

[Hawkeye]

They are really passionate about cricket, and also back the Pakistan cricket team.

My best wishes for them.

I'm hoping they'll become a top team one day. Have potential to become the next Test team.

 

[TheLastGreatMan]

Only if there will be 2 tiers in Test cricket.Already too many weak teams right now.

 

[Raf Pragmatic]

If BCCI wish, even aliens can play test cricket.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Hopefully Nepal progresses and maybe by 2035 they can get Test status. But they haven't even played an ODI yet. I hope they qualify for the Asia Cup...would be massive for their fans.

 

[BlackShadow]

Why are we so eager to add more trash teams to Test Cricket? Nepalese people aren't even that much into Cricket, so I doubt we will see a Nepalese Test team.

 

[kuskash]

If BAN can become test nation, any country can.

 

[anakwalajinn]

Nepalese people aren't even that much into Cricket

And what do you base this on?

 

[BaankeJi]

Nepal has to first prove themselves in LOIs.

 

[ads101]

Given that tests are hard to make money off, the weaker team almost never wins unlike LOI, and very poor first class structure in these countries, dunno why countries are in a rush to get test status. When most would prefer the extra ODIs instead of tests.

IMO Bangladesh should only have been given test status recently, and the rest shouldn't have got it all. Instead give them all more LOIs.

 

[UN talkz]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nepal&#55356;&#56819;&#55356;&#56821;are set to play their first ODI and their captain is thrilled! <br><br>An emotional <a href="https://twitter.com/paras77?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@paras77</a> details the team's ups and downs on the way to ODI status.<br><br>&#55357;&#56393; <a href="https://t.co/weT3SLR5zs">https://t.co/weT3SLR5zs</a> <a href="https://t.co/hPuuUJ0mL0">pic.twitter.com/hPuuUJ0mL0</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1023835121877544960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BlackShadow]

And what do you base this on?

4 years in Nepal. I don't know if anything has changed in last 5 years, but back then it was hard to find much gully Cricket. Now I heard they have a Pokhara Cricket League there, but not sure if Cricket has really penetrated that deep among the masses.

 

[BlackShadow]

Do we have a Nepali member here? Would be good to hear from them, or maybe some lurker can join and share their story.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Long way with the continous help of asian teams but YES.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Given that tests are hard to make money off, the weaker team almost never wins unlike LOI, and very poor first class structure in these countries, dunno why countries are in a rush to get test status. When most would prefer the extra ODIs instead of tests.

IMO Bangladesh should only have been given test status recently, and the rest shouldn't have got it all. Instead give them all more LOIs.

Perfectly said all.

 

[Abdullah Rabbani]

If i icc should serious developing new nations then we never seen fall of kenya Zimbabwe Netherland Scotland...

They look boycotted these days Scotland beat world no1 England hardly see there next matches

 

[Nikhil_cric]

They are really passionate about cricket, and also back the Pakistan cricket team.

My best wishes for them.

I'm hoping they'll become a top team one day. Have potential to become the next Test team.

You wish brother Hawkeye ) . Most don't care about cricket nor do they support Pakistan of all teams But nice try

 

[MenInG]

Nepal batsman Rohit Paudel hit 55 off 58 balls against UAE, becoming, at 16 years, 146 days old, the youngest male player in history to make an international half-century.

The previous youngest was none other than Sachin Tendulkar, who made 59 in a Test against Pakistan aged 16 years and 213 days, while in ODIs the mark was set by Shahid Afridi, who smashed a 37-ball century, also a record at the time, aged 16 years and 217 days in his maiden international innings against Sri Lanka.

Paudel is however some way off the overall record for all international cricket, with South Africa Women’s Johmari Logtenburg having struck Test and ODI half-centuries as a 14-year-old.

Though still a teenager, Paudel is already inspiring the next generation Though still a teenager, Paudel is already inspiring the next generation
Paudel’s half-century was his side’s highest score in the second ODI against UAE, which his side began 1-0 down in the series. He had previously come close to setting a world record when he made his ODI debut aged 15 years and 335 days back in August 2018, making him the fourth-youngest man in history to do so.

He has long been touted as a future star of Nepalese cricket, having struck highly rated Indian speedster Kamlesh Nagarkoti for 24 runs in five balls in an U19 ODI in 2016, and was at the crease as Nepal secured ODI status for the first time with victory over Papua New Guinea at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/982915

 

[giri26]

Paras Khadka century hands Nepal first-ever ODI series win

Captain Paras Khadka’s hundred, the first ever by a Nepal batsman in ODIs, gave his side their maiden ODI series win as they triumphed over UAE by four wickets.

A historic, come-from-behind series win had looked unlikely as UAE racked up 254/6, the highest total of the series, batting first, especially for a side who had been bowled out for 113 in the first ODI between the sides.

UAE’s total was especially impressive considering they had slipped to 47/4 early in the piece, with a wicket each for Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Khadka limiting their early progress. A doughty 45 from CP Rizwan helped repair the damage, but still, as they found themselves 122/4 after 38 overs, it seemed they might struggle to make 200.

That they breached 250 was down to a remarkable late surge courtesy of Shaiman Anwar (87 off 70) and Mohammad Boota, who finished with 59* off 21. Mohammad Naveed struck his first two balls for six and four to apply the afterburners, and Nepal were left a little shell-shocked at the break having conceded 55 runs from the last three overs of the innings.

They quickly shook off any cobwebs, recovering from the early loss of Binod Bhandari for 9 to whittle down their target in a series of semi-substantial partnerships. Though after Khadka’s hundred the next highest score was a mere 31, there was enough support to ensure that Nepal stayed ahead of the game, while the wickets lost kept the match interesting.

Khadka was undoubtedly the star of the show, leading from the front as he has so often done for his country. His 115, coming at better than a run a ball, was a masterful knock, considering the pressure of a large chase and a must-win game. By the time he was dismissed, Nepal needed 40 runs in 10.1 overs, and only an almighty collapse could see them lose.

Considering the flair for the dramatic Nepal have shown throughout their time in international cricket, such could not be discounted, but Aarif Sheikh and Sompal added cool unbeaten 20-odds to seal victory and send the sizeable band of travelling supporters into raptures.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/983701

 

[mayankp.sverige]

yes maybe in 10 years they might become test nation.

 

[Mamoon]

I find it quite amazing that although teams like Afghanistan and Nepal are struggling to produce top quality batsmen and pacers, they are clearly not struggling when it comes to producing spinners.

Perhaps it is a consequence of their focus on T20 cricket. A format where spinners have reigned supreme.

 

[Hasan123]

They should concentrate on T20s for now.

 

[MenInG]

ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 Match 25 Wed 5 February, 09:30 Local ( 06:45 AST ) Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Nepal

Oman won by 18 runs

Nepal - 179 46.5/50 ov RR: 3.82
Oman - 197/9 50/50 ov RR: 3.94

 

[sweep_shot]

I think Nepal and Scotland are next to get Test statuses. Nepal can definitely get it provided they keep on improving. Cricket is huge in Nepal too.

 

[angrypathan]

I find it quite amazing that although teams like Afghanistan and Nepal are struggling to produce top quality batsmen and pacers, they are clearly not struggling when it comes to producing spinners.

Perhaps it is a consequence of their focus on T20 cricket. A format where spinners have reigned supreme.

Nepal's struggle with pacers is probably to some extent related to the physical structure of their populace. Similar to Bangladesh. Always found it surprising that Afghanistan hasn't produced any quality fast bowlers yet, they're well built people, but I guess they don’t have the resources to polish the talent yet.

 

[OhTwadi]

Highly doubt any new test nation in the next ten years unfortunately. Perhaps Nepal should try and improve their ODI game before they think about test match cricket.

 

[cricket.mad]

Newer nations shouldn't even bother about the word 'TEST'..they should concentrate on LOI's..its not viable in any sense for them...

 

[gazza619]

I guess with cricket mad neighbours there is always a chance that some talented immigrants might make Nepal a decent force.

We can already see India has too much talent to offer.

 

[MenInG]

Nepal international men’s cricketer Lalit Bhandari, who was injured in a motorcycle accident near his hometown Kanchanpur on Sunday, is currently in a stable condition and recuperating in a hospital.

The 24-year-old was hit by a truck while he was travelling with one of his relatives from Mahendranagar to Dhangadhi. The incident happened on the East-West highway near Jhalari market on Sunday evening.

According to the Cricket Association of Nepal, after initially undergoing treatment at Nisarg Hospital in Dhangadhi, Bhandari was transported to Kohalpur Medical College in Banke for further treatment.

“Lalit Bhandari is in Kohalpur Medical hospital and in stable condition now. He has to undergo operation on both his hands and leg and as per doctors he is out of danger now,” former Nepal captain Paras Khadka tweeted.

The left-arm seamer made his ODI debut back in August 2018 against the Netherlands where he claimed two wickets. Bhandari also featured for his country against the MCC in the same year at Lord’s.

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...cricketer-motorcycle-accident-stable-6596098/

 

[MenInG]

Former Nepal captain Paras Khadka announced his retirement through a social media post on Tuesday, 3 August.

The all-rounder played 10 ODIs and 33 T20Is for Nepal, scoring 1114 runs, including seven fifty-plus scores. He also has 17 international wickets to his name.

Khadka represented Nepal in three Under-19 World Cups – in 2004, 2006 and 2008 and was named captain of the side in 2009. His biggest achievement remains in leading his country in the 2014 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, after finishing third in the 2013 Qualifier. He also starred in their first ever ODI win in 2018, against the Netherlands.

"Playing for Nepal has been my biggest achievement and for that I will always be indebted towards my coaches, players, fans, stakeholders, friends and family for their continuous support over the last 18 years since I started as a young 15 year old back in 2002," he said in the statement.

"Why now? Because it’s about time. As a cricketer, I have given my heart, blood and soul and have always dreamt to achieve the best for my country.

"My ultimate dream is to see Nepal have a better cricketing system, for which I have spent all my energy in the past two decades,” he wrote. "I believe, with everyone’s honest effort and intentions, we will be able to reach greater heights."

 

[PakLFC]

No. The next Test nation should be Scotland. The game is rather popular outside the main cities yet granting it test statuts seems to be overlooked for some reason. If Ireland can be granted it then Scotland should be as well. The Scots are much better then the likes of UAE, Nepal and the Netherlands. Time to give the Scots the respect we deserve.