Kathmandu, March 28

The cricket ground at the Narayani Stadium of Parsa district has been useless for years due to compensation issues.

The only international-standard ground of the region, which has seven turf wickets, was constructed around 16 years ago in four-bigha and 18-kattha land.

However, the ground is useless and is in pathetic condition after locals, especially the ones from whom the government acquired the land, did not allow cricketers to use the facility for years.

National Sports Council handed over the ground to Parsa District Cricket Association four years ago after settling the compensation. However, seven of them knocked court doors demanding better land and they won the case.

After the land owners did not get proper land despite winning the court battle, they used excavator to dig the ground and also removed the fence in January 2013.

National cricket team member Aarif Sheikh said international matches could have been organised at the stadium. “If maintained properly, Nepal can host international matches at the stadium as the facilities in the area are enough for the international competitions,” said Sheikh, who was sad for being barred from playing at the ground. “The outfield as well as the turf wickets have been worn out and it needs to be repaired,” said Sheikh.