KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal unveiled the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division-V tournament trophy here today.

In an inauguration ceremony of the tournament beginning on Saturday, the PM expressed gratitude to world cricket’s governing body, International Cricket Council (ICC), for giving Nepal an opportunity to host the event.

Nepal are hosting the ICC event for the first time. “Since, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) have successfully hosted the Asian Cricket

Council (ACC) events previously, I am sure CAN would be

successful this time as

well,” said the PM, who assured the participating nations a better hospitality.

PM Nepal also said the government is committed to develop cricket in Nepal and provide international standard facilities with further investments. PM Nepal and skippers of the six participating nations also posed for photograph with the tournament trophy.

Youth and Sports Minister Ganesh Nepali, National Sports Council Member Secretary Hari Babu Chaudhary and ICC Tournament Director Richard Faichney were also present on the occasion. The ceremony was also marked by various cultural shows and folk dances. The Division-V is the kgateway for Nepal to qualify for the 2015 World Cup. The top two teams will qualify for the ICC World Cricket League Division -IV slated for this August in Italy.

On Saturday, Nepal will take on Jersey at the Birendra Sainik Awasiya Mahavidhyalaya (BSAM) grounds; Bahrain meet Singapore at TU Stadium; and Fiji will play USA at Pulchowk Engineering Grounds.

Match Schedule

TU BSAM Pulchowk

Feb 20 Bahrain vs Singapore Jersey vs Nepal Fiji vs USA

Feb 21 Jersey vs Fiji USA vs Bahrain Nepal vs Singapore

Feb 23 USA vs Jersey Nepal vs Bahrain Singapore vs Fiji

Feb 24 Fiji vs Nepal Bahrain vs Jersey Singapore vs USA

Feb 26 Nepal vs USA Jersey vs Singapore Fiji vs Bahrain

Feb 27 Final 3rd vs 4th Playoff 5th vs 6th playoff