Kathmandu, March 16

Nepal confirmed the One Day International status for the first time in the history of cricket.

But the biggest achievement is accompanied by numerous challenges, especially at a time when the country’s cricket board is suspended since April, 2016.

Nepal will be an ODI nation for the next four years, thanks to the team effort in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. The ODI status means the cricketers will get lots of opportunities, at home and abroad. But the million dollar question is: Who will lead Nepali cricket to new heights?

As Cricket Association of Nepal remains suspended, there is no proper authority to lead the sport. And the stakeholders are already sceptical that the ODI status might be wasted like the T20I which Nepal had earned after competing in the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in 2014.

Former national cricket team skipper Pawan Agrawal said the ODI status meant a lot for Nepali cricket and it needed to be utilised properly. “First and foremost, we need a strong and competent cricket governing body to lead the sport in a professional manner,” said Agrawal, who is also the Secretary of the Nepal Advisory Board formed by the ICC to end disputes in cricket.

Agrawal lauded the team members for the achievement. “The credit goes to the players and team members as they pushed themselves up and earned the achievement despite all odds,” said Agrawal, the President of Cricket Players Association, Nepal.

Agrawal, however, was worried about the situation of Nepali cricket. “We had a governing body in place when we earned the T20I status in 2014. But the leaders of Nepali cricket were busy in internal conflict and we could do nothing then. The ODI status also might be a lost opportunity if we do not act now and take the right path,” he added.

The domestic activities have been reduced to almost nil due to the incompetence of the CAN officials and later on suspension from the ICC. The national team’s pool is getting smaller although a couple of players have been able to hit the floor on their own. Even the players of the current national team did not get a chance to play a 50-over tournament before being picked up in the national squad.

Subash Bahadur Shahi, President of Dhangadhi Cricket Academy which organises the Ruslan Dhangadhi Premier League, said the government and private sectors needed to work together and put in huge investment for the development of infrastructure.

“We need to cash in on the ODI status as it can take us to a new height,” said Shahi. “As we lack infrastructure, we need to give priority in building stadium and grounds. Besides that, players should be given maximum exposure and team should tour frequently and invite others for home series,” said Shahi.

“With the increase in cricketing craze, events like DPL will reach to a next level and we are really excited to host the tournament. The status will also create positive environment for us to bring in investment for the benefit of cricket,” said Shahi.

Former cricketer Aamir Akhtar, Managing Director of Everest Premier League, urged the stakeholders of Nepali cricket to work together. “Now that we have earned the ODI status, everyone needed to come to the same platform to solve all the problems and form a strong governing body,” said Akhtar.

Akhtar said big names of world cricket could come to Nepal through diplomatic relation of the country. “The craze for the game is really high in Nepal and as we can cash in on it by organising bilateral or friendly series,” he added.

Akhtar, as the organiser of EPL, said he could see a bright future of all those involved in cricket. “I am 200 per cent energised as sponsorship from private companies will definitely go up which will increase in the match fees of the cricketers and the prize money along with individual awards. Similarly, big names of cricketing world might travel to Nepal to play cricket,” said Akhtar.