Kathmandu, March 29:

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) feels that Nepal might get the One Day International (ODI) status by the year 2015.

The ACC Development Officers, Ramesh Ratnayeke and Dr Vece Paes, said that Nepal might be playing ODI matches against the likes of India and Pakistan by 2015 to 2019 if the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) strictly implements the ACC Development Project and help the national team clinch the goal set by the ACC.

The duo were speaking at an interaction programme organised by CAN today. “To achieve the goal, the Nepal should do well in the World Cricket League in 2008/09 and qualify for the World Cup 2011,” said Dr Paes. “That alone, however, is not sufficient. You need to qualify for the next World Cup and play good cricket. You have to be the finalists in the ACC Trophy 2008 to qualify for the Asia Cup and stay in the Elite Group of ACC Tournaments to get the ODI status,” Dr Paes added.

By qualifying for the Asia Cup, the CAN would get an added budget of $250,000 and Dr Paes said that would further help in expediting the cricket activities in the country. Nepali senior team is slated to participate in the ICC’s Division V Cricket Tournament in 2008 along with Afghanistan, Argentina, Botswana, Norway, Jersey, Singapore and one from East Asia Pacific Zone. The top two teams will qualify for Division IV, which will select teams for the ICC World Cup 2011 qualifiers.

“We are realistically looking for a chance to play in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. The future will be very bright. It cannot be done by one person and it won’t come easily. For that you need team work,” said Ratnayeke. “Domestic tournaments are very important. ACC funding is not enough, actual funds should come from corporate houses and government,” he added. “You are fortunate to have sponsors with you.”

Currently, Nepal are eighth in the ICC Under-19 rankings and that came after Nepal won plate championship in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2006. CAN president Binay Raj Pandey was satisfied with the way his committee has been working since assuming the office six months ago. “We had made some announcement when we assumed the office, and today I think we are going on the right track,” he said.

National cricket team coach Roy Luke Dias, National Sports Council member secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha, vice president Sitaram Maskey, member Ganga Bahadur Thapa Magar, CAN officials and sponsors were also present on the occasion.