Kathmandu, December 13

Former West Indies cricketer, Brian Lara, regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of world cricket, landed in Kathmandu this morning. The Prince of Port of Spain, Lara attended the Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League at the TU International Cricket Ground in the afternoon and also talked about the franchise league from the commentary box.

Cricket Association of Nepal Treasurer Padam Khadka, Spokesperson Chhumbi Lama and Cricket Manager and former Nepal skipper Binod Das welcomed Lara at the Tribhuvan International Airport. The world record holder batsman took some time out to talk about his visit, the NPL and his illustrious career. Excerpts:

What brings you to Kathmandu?

First of all, it's been sort of a dream of mine. Obviously, I started playing cricket from a very young age. My first trip to India, I was just 14 years old and I've been hearing about Nepal and of course Kathmandu for many, many years. Obviously during my playing days, Nepal was not around to be one of the competitors against myself. So, it had to be a trip such as this. When the opportunity did arrive, I felt that, you know, why not I could come out to this part of the world, see it for the first time.

Of course, you're associate of the ICC and budding young cricketers here that I would love to meet at some point in time. So, for me it's a great trip because I can tick the box in terms of being able to come to Nepal and see the place, see the people, the hospitality and to bring along my daughter Tyla as well to have the experiences, something special.

The NPL has already created a buzz in world cricket. How do you see a franchise league of an associate nation going crazy in the first edition itself, with the presence of huge crowds in each match?

Well, how you look at it, I think you got to look at it in terms of the size of the country, the ability of the players and exactly where you are as a cricket playing nation. You're still very young as a cricket playing nation, to sort of have international superstars come to your country to play in your NPL is something very special and I suppose it's the start of something that's going to grow. Of course, T20 is a wonderful version of the game.

You're getting a lot of new sponsors and a lot of spectators. It's a very exciting version of the game. So, for me it's growing the sport in Nepal, growing the league and seeing more recognised cricketers coming to your shows and making sure and participate.

How do you remember your innings of 400 not out against England in Antigua?

That was a long time ago. 2004, 20 years ago now. So, you know, hopefully, you know, during my lifetime I want to see it broken. And I believe with the advent of T20 cricket and how aggressive and attacking young players are, I think that you're going to see someone passing that score at some point in time. That was a very special moment in my life.

Regaining the world record after losing it some six months before that. But records are made to be broken and I said it in the past, I would have loved to play with a more successful West Indies team. I would give my records just to have played on a team that was winning a lot more when I played.

You hold so many records in cricket. How does it feel to be a maestro?

You know what, as a little kid I grew up in a family of 11. I had 10 siblings, a very big family and six bigger brothers. And it was always a dream of the family to have someone go on to play international cricket. I was the last boy, so I suppose I was the last effort in trying to get that sort of position in the family. I don't know if I'm a maestro, but I think that I'm a very proud member of the Lara clan.

To have played for the West Indies, to have represented the West Indies for 17 years, it was a dream of mine. My dad also lived vicariously through me in terms of he loved the game of cricket. He provided everything that was necessary for me to play the game. Even though we came from a very big family in a sort of middle income, three-bedroom house, all of us enjoyed ourselves living there.

But yeah, it's just to fulfill that dream to play for the West Indies to play alongside the greats of Vivian Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, the late Malcolm Marshall. That was just an awesome time in my life.

You did not get to play the T20 format much in your illustrious career. Do you miss playing the shortest version of the game?

I think it's a great game. It came at a time when cricket needed it. I played 131 Test matches for the West Indies. The five-day version of the game, Test cricket, really tests your ability and your attrition level. And I would not give that for anything else. Of course, T20 is beautiful, a lot of guys are enjoying it, the franchise game is important but playing Test cricket for West Indies for 17 years will remain the highlight of my career.

Who was the most difficult bowler of your time?

Well, my nemesis, the person who got me out the most was definitely Glenn McGrath, an awesome Australian bowler. And of course, Australia toppled West Indies in the mid-90s as the No 1 Test team in the world. But for me, the greatest fast bowler that I have played against was Wasim Akram from Pakistan. He was definitely the bowler that can make you look pretty ordinary when he is at his best.

In today's world of cricket, who do you find the scariest or the toughest batsman and bowler?

The best batter, I think, is obviously Joe Root at present, that's going by the record. The bowler that is definitely the best in the world right now is Jasprit Bumrah. He is awesome, the way he operates in all versions of the game – T20, limited-overs and Test cricket – is just tremendous to see the ability of such a bowler.

Your advice to the aspiring cricketers

If you have a dream, it does not have to be necessarily in cricket, it can be other sports or academics, I think it's important to follow your dreams. I think it's very important to understand that along the way you are going to have a lot of stumbling blocks. You are going to face hurdles; you may even face failures. But that's what brings out the best in you.

And any young cricketer who wants to make it, you will have to understand how to deal with failures. I will urge any young sports person to stick with it and work hard. And I could tell you something, success loves somebody who works hard, and discipline and dedication is very important.