The Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu handed over cricket equipment to Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
Pakistan Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Ahmar Ismail handed over 50 sets of Pakistan made cricket equipment to National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama, CAN President Binay Raj Pandey and Vice President Upendra Bhattarai.
Charge d’ Affaires Ismail said that the gift was indicative of excellent friendly relations between the two countries. “Football is more popular sports in Nepal though cricket is more popular in other South Asian countries. We are trying to establish world level cricket in Nepal,” said Ismail.
NSC Member Secretary Lama gave his vote of thanks to Pakistan Embassy for the support and disscussed the possibility of developing Nepal as neutral venue for the Pakistan cricket team. “I have been discussing with CAN President about the possibility of developing Nepal as neutral venue for Test playing nations,” said Lama.
CAN President Pandey said that the Pakistan Embassy and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been very helpful toward the development of cricket in Nepal.
“I thank Pakistan Embassy for this grant and hope this will continue in years to come,” said Pandey. “Pakistan had extended warm welcome to our laddies’ team and also sent their academy team to Nepal in the past,” he added.
Nepali women cricket team had visited Pakistan in February, 2011 before participating in the ACC Women’s Twenty20 Tournament and PCB Academy team had visited Nepal in 2008.