Controversy has erupted in the Wai Wai U-19 National Cricket Tournament after an over aged player was not allowed to play while another continues to play in the tournament.
Skipper of Region No 3 Kathmandu, Sunam Gautam, was not allowed to play the match against Region No 1 Biratnagar citing age bar limit while another over-aged player Hasim Ansari of Region No 2 Birgunj played against Region No 8 Pokhara on Monday.
According to Kiran Rana, member of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), Gautam has already crossed the age to play in the tournament. “Gautam was not allowed to play in the tournament as his registration in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) during the U-17 in 2005 and U-19 in 2007 indicates he is an over age player.”
Gautam’s date of birth in ACC in 1988 that shows that his age is currently 24 years. “We stopped him from playing the tournament for now and we’ll take action against him from the board meeting of CAN,” said member Rana.
Meanwhile, Ansari was barred from playing the ACC U-19 Cup 2011 andBangladeshtour citing over age.
As per Ansari’s passport, his date of birth is 1990, according to which his age is 22. The CAN Member Rana said that they have not found any record over Ansari inCAN.
Ansari, however, has claimed that his date of birth in his first passport was registered erroneously, which has been amended in the new passport. “After the amendment, I gave application to CAN and I am ready to face any punishment if I’m found to be over aged,” said Ansari.