At a press meet held in the capital on Tuesday, ICC Development Event Manager Andrew Faichney said, “Nepal have held Asian level matches so far with great success, so we don´t have any concerns about the managerial skill of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for holding the matches.” He further added, “And we have seen the grounds, talked with CAN officials in this regards and are very satisfied that the Division-5 matches will be a very successful event in Nepal. And this will open the door for Nepal to hold many more ICC level matches and tournaments here.”
Faichney, along with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Development Manager Bandula Warnapura, observed the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, the Pulchowk Engineering College Cricket Ground and the cricket ground at Birendra Sainik School. Warnapura also praised Nepal´s efforts for holding the Division-5 matches. “Nepal has a good track record in holding ACC level matches. ACC was very confident that Nepal can hold ICC level events successfully, that´s why we recommended Nepal to the ICC for awarding it ICC events.” Warnapura added, “However, our major concern is that Nepal doesn´t have its own grounds, but we are confident CAN will have all the cricketing facilities in the near future.”
However, the CAN president disclosed that the inspection team of Faichney and Warnapura expressed concern over the security of foreign players during matches as the fencing at our grounds is not strong enough. “They have concerns over players´ security during matches as we have witnessed spectators breaking the fence and invading the pitch during tournaments in the past. That´s why CAN has decided to fence the grounds with barbed wire so no one from the stands enters the ground during or after matches.” Nepal will be holding the ICC tournament for the first time.
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