Kathmandu, September 29

The Marylebone Cricket Club, the oldest cricket club, is all set to visit Nepal for the third time in November.

MCC, the framer and copyright holder of the Laws of Cricket, is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on November 13 and will play five matches against local teams, informed Cricket Association of Nepal CEO Bhawana Ghimire at a press meet today. “We are planning to allot two matches to the national team and remaining three to others sides,” she added. “We will finalise the itinerary later as we have also planned to organise a coaching clinic for kids during the MCC tour,” said Ghimire.

The Nepali team will travel to England in July next year to play a 50-over match against the MCC. “Every player has a dream of playing at the Lord’s and hopefully we will get that opportunity,” said Ghimire. “I really appreciate the initiative of MCC.”

John Stephenson, Head of Cricket at MCC, said the tour was part of their programme of visiting different countries every year. This is the third time MCC team is coming to Nepal after the 2003 and 2009 visits. “The series will be an exciting event for both the sides,” Stephenson said, adding the MCC will always be trying to help Nepali cricket. “I think the relationship between CAN and MCC is flourishing and we are ready to help Nepal cricket in every possible way,” he added.

The MCC had drafted Nepal national team skipper Paras Khadka in their team for the Emirates Cup held in January in the UAE. “We were privileged to have in MCC team and I keep that door open to that for the next year as well,” said Stephenson. The MCC also arranged a six-week training for Naresh Budhayer and Rajesh Pulami at Lord’s last year. “Unfortunately that did not happen this year but we are hoping to continue that in future,” he added.

National team skipper Khadka thanked the MCC for taking time out to visit Nepal. “Probably MCC is the first team to visit Nepal after the earthquake and I think this is the start of the future relationship,” said Khadka. “It was a great experience playing for MCC and we are excited to play matches in Kathmandu,” he added. “We will try our best to provide the best hospitality,” said Khadka.