KATHMANDU: The International Cricket Council said it suspended the membership of the Cricket Association of Nepal for engaging in the government interference and failing to conduct free and fair elections.

"In light of the ongoing court case involving the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and the ad hoc Committee established by the Nepali National Sports Council (NSC), which has led to a vacuum of cricket leadership in Nepal, the Board suspended the Membership of CAN for breach of Article 2.9 of the ICC’s Articles of Association, which prohibits government interference and requires free and fair elections."

"The suspension means that CAN will not be entitled to receive any ICC funding," the ICC Board meeting held on Sunday decided, "However, the Board, in its absolute discretion and considering that the players should not suffer due to this suspension, decided that the Nepal cricket teams would be able to continue to feature in ICC events."

The meeting further decided that ICC management will now work with the Nepal cricket community, and other stakeholders, in order to assist with the development of a sustainable governance and administration structure for cricket in Nepal.

"The Board maintained that it does not accept government interference in the affairs of its Members as it wants all its Members to work independently with the best intentions of promoting and developing the game in their respective territories in accordance with the ICC’s objectives and strategy," the international cricket governing body warned.

"Until such time as the CAN becomes free of government interference and is properly structured to begin exploiting the tremendous cricket talent and opportunities that exist in Nepal, the membership of CAN will remain suspended."

ICC Chairman Mr Shashank Manohar said: “The sport of cricket is proud of its unique spirit and this involves being gracious in victory as well as defeat and respectful at all times to the game, one’s opponents, the sponsors and the fans.”