Paras Khadka, the most successful leader on the field, guided Nepal's national cricket team to ICC World Cricket League Division-II from Division-V in his illustrious career. The first captain to win international title in 2010, Khadka led Nepal to first-ever World Cup in 2014 and he was the captain of the national team that earned One Day International status for the first time four years later. He also became the first Nepali batter to score centuries in both ODI and Twenty20 formats.

Off-the-field, Khadka led a strong protest against the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) after the governing body failed to meet players' requirements. He stepped down from captaincy in 2019 and retired from the sport two years later, announcing his new innings in cricket administration. Khadka, who was elected the CAN secretary in September last year, is the most powerful cricket administrator at present. Khadka and CAN have already created waves with the grand launch of the Nepal Premier League, which was successful in attracting legendary figures of world cricket in first edition itself.

Mahesh Acharya from The Himalayan Times caught up with Khadka to discuss the uniting force of cricket, challenges and potentials in establishing a sports culture in Nepal, cricketing climate, among other issues. Excerpts:

What role does cricket play in uniting fans and communities in Nepal and the region?

Cricket has evolved into a sport capable of bringing nations together. From early childhood, one can see kids' joy in participating in games and sports. We have also sought to establish a sports culture in Nepal for a long time. With the Nepal Premier League (NPL) setup, I think we are on the right track.

Nepali cricket has always received tremendous support from fans, and we want to ensure that we repay them with a better setting, experience and entertainment. People enjoy visiting cricket grounds, seeing Nepal play and even keenly following the NPL.

How has Nepal's cricketing journey evolved, and what role has cricket played in the region?

We have begun developing relationships with the BCCI, the Indian Cricket Board. Cricket playing nations surround us on the subcontinent. That means we need to engage much more with cricket boards in the region as well. There is much to share and much to learn within our region.

After 25 years, I've noticed the significant impact of adjacent countries and players. We grew up seeing them play. We now hold ODI status, have competed in two World Cups, and have participated in the Asia Cup. We were agonisingly close to defeating a Test-playing nation in the World Cup. With all these features in place, Nepali cricket has evolved, gaining expertise and experience in the region and contributing to it.

The improvement of Nepali cricket on the pitch is incredible. Cricket, in addition to connecting people, has the potential to benefit Nepal's economy significantly. If we can create a suitable stadium with a capacity of 25,000 and attract fans, we can generate significant funds from ticket sales for a single international match.

What steps have been taken to improve the cricket infrastructure in Nepal?

The government is currently installing infrastructure on the TU premises. All of the backend work has been accomplished. The complete tender is about to begin, and the government has pledged that the tender process will be fast-tracked. There is no doubt that TU is the home of Nepali cricket, and we must manage this facility.

The private sector is also looking to invest in infrastructure. So, it may be through the government's initiatives or private-public cooperation, but we need cricket infrastructure.

What are the perspectives of young Nepali cricketers on regional cricket culture?

Everyone grows up watching someone. Cricket is also quite popular among Nepali youth, and many parents urge their children to participate in this sport. We've also noticed growing interest in the game of cricket among parents. Building a culture will take time. We must ensure that aspiring players and parents see a steady future in cricket. The national team players are having a great time. However, the scenario varies across provincial and district players.

First and foremost, the association must be financially stable so that we can manage finances for provinces and districts. We need to entice individuals to join the sport for the long term. No one will join a sport unless there is a clear professional pathway. We initially played cricket for free, but things have changed since then. It's about finding a career, and I believe cricket is gradually becoming one.

How has the growing popularity of cricket affected cultural perceptions in Nepal?

Look at our women's under-19 team as to how their performance has gotten them to the World Cup this time around. As someone who has played the game for nearly two decades, I can relate to various stories. While sports have health benefits, they also teach you much about discipline, dedication and consistency. It's the same in life. A good player does not emerge from a single day, game or tournament. Life has ups and downs. People look up to many who have played the game and helped Nepal succeed. The full influence will be seen in the future. In order to become a proficient player who performs consistently, you must be disciplined.

What collaborations are in place to help Nepali players enhance their skills and receive training?

It's about improving the cricketing climate. We're attempting to connect with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Perhaps some players can play club cricket in England and Australia as well. That is the plan. We have been pretty busy for the last 14-15 months with the World Cup, its preparations, and the organisation of many national events. There have been a lot of events in the last year-and-a-half, and the players have stayed occupied, which is excellent. However, we must aim to decentralise events and ensure adequate pitches and sites nationwide. Having stated that, all we need to do is keep moving forward without complicating things too much. Everything has its graph, with ups and downs, but I believe we are at a point where we have tremendous potential to expand our horizon in the cricketing arena.

How do cricket tournaments and leagues promote regional cooperation?

More events will come to Nepal if you have good infrastructure. That's one thing. We need to discuss the internal scenario, namely cricket's role. We're having an event in Kirtipur, and people are coming from all across the country to witness the game. Imagine three years from now, if we can structure the NPL on a home-and-away basis, people will go to different provinces to watch matches. Cities in the Indian Premier League also look forward to 8-10 games per season. We can build a similar scenario here. I am confident that cricket can help to bring the country together. The IPL is a massive product that is a benchmark and inspiration. We, too, want to provide the best entertainment for those who come to the stadium and those who watch games on television. There are numerous reasons to bring our contests to a global audience. Through the telecast of the matches, people will learn about cricket and our country.

How do you see Nepal using its cricketing talent to promote regional pride and identity?

I recall that we were pretty hard-working cricketers and had excellent trainers. So, that mixture has led us to where we are now. We're attempting to create a profitable cricket system where young cricketers can come, play the game, obtain a job, and improve their livelihood. It will take time, but I believe we have started nicely.