Nepali cricketers Rubina Chhetry and Roshani Bohara have been selected by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to play in the Division 1 cricket in Sri Lanka in August, the ACC wrote on its official website. The Nepali duo were among four international women cricketers sponsored by the ACC. The other two are Nattaya Boochatham and Sornnarin Tippoch of Thailand.
Rubina Chhetri
According to the ACC, they were chosen on the basis of their performance in the 2013 ACC Women’s Championship as well as their ability to inspire their team-mates on their return back to their countries for the foreseeable future.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to develop and know the set-up in Sri Lanka. I am sure that they will benefit from being there,” the ACC quoted its Development Manager Bandula Warnapura as saying.
Rubina Chhetry and Sorrnanin Tippoch are captains of their respective countries.
The ACC statement further reads: “The Nepali and Thai women will play for the Palink Sports Club (Palians), based in Colombo, in Sri Lanka Cricket’s 50-over Division 1 Women’s League. Under the tournament rules only two foreign players can be fielded by a side at one time so they will play in rotation.
“The important thing is not only match play but exposure to a full-international set-up, a country where cricket is part of the national culture, one where they will eat, drink and train with other cricketers,” says the ACC Development Manager.
“The Palians have been very kind in offering their facilities and hospitality in Colombo to our visitors,” he adds.
The Nepali and Thai girls will reach Colombo on August 10, prior to the start of the Sri Lanka season on the 20th. They will be on the island for a month.
The ACC is also proposing to work with the Asian Test-playing countries on tours in 2014 for the top Associates as well as Umpiring Scholarships.