Nepali cricketers to play 3 T20 games against Lankan legends

KATHMANDU: The Nepal national cricket team are set to play three T20 games against a Sri Lankan team comprising some cricketing greats and five members of the current national fold, at the Tribhuvan University Stadium next month.

Organising a press meet in the Capital today, the organiser, Periwinkle Service, a marketing and promotion company, said the three-match series would be played on April 27, 29 and May 1.

The series would be a part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Nepal, according to the company.

The event would provide a platform for the national cricket team to play competitive matches against the legends of the game so as to hone their skills and to foster friendship and cultural exchange between the two SAARC nations.

National team skipper Paras Khadka would captain the Gorkha Rhinos while the legendary batsman and former Sri Lankan great Aravinda de Silva would be his counterpart.

The local spectators would watch one of the world's most devastating opening pairs of Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana bat followed by classy innings of Aravinda de Silva in the middle, leg spin of Upul Chandana and fast bowling spells of Chaminda Vaas.

The other Sri Lankan players are Upul Tharanga, Rangana Herath, Dilshan Munaweera, Farveez Maharoof, Sachithra Senanayake and Chamara Silva. All these except Silva have been playing for the Sri Lankan national team currently.

Meanwhile, Khadka said the game would give an exposure to the Nepali players and learn from the legends.

Meanwhile, Nepal's first national team skipper Uttam Karmacharya would be honoured with the lifetime achievement award.

Similarly, Nepal women's team captain Nary Thapa, President of Cricket Association for Blind Pawan Ghimire and ICC Panel umpire Buddhi Pradhan among others would be honoured.

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