Kathmandu, February 26:

The blind cricket team of Nepal is leaving for Pakistan to play nine friendly matches from March 1-18.

On the eve of their departure, Australian Ambassador to Nepal Graeme Lade and President of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) Binay Raj Pandey gave away cricket equipment to the team here on Tuesday. The cricket kits were made available by the Australian government through the embassy here.

The team will play seven one-day matches and two Twenty20 matches against the regional teams in different cities including Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, said Pawan Ghimire, Chairman of Cricket Association of the Blind, Nepal.

Kirtan Shrestha is the skipper, Ghimire will accompany the team as manager of the 20-member squad that is leaving on Wednesday. Ganga Prasad Poudel and Birendra Singh Mahara are the coaches of the team. “This tour will be helpful for us as we are preparing for the World Cup slated for UK in August 2009,” said Ghimire.

Australian Ambassador Lade said he was happy to get the opportunity to help Nepali cricket. “Being a cricket fan myself, I am satisfied with the cricket development here,” he said. “This is just a small assistance to CAN for the development of grassroot cricket, women cricket and the disadvantaged group including visually impaired group,” he added. He also wished the team every success and hoped that the team would win trophy.