Less than a month after impressive performance at the World T20 Cup, Nepali cricketers are at odds with the cricket governing body of Nepal, Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
In a show of displeasure with the Association, the national cricket players have decided to walk out of the one day national tournament on Thursday. The cricketers have blamed CAN of overlooking their demands.
Captain of National Cricket Team, Paras Khadka , announced that the national players have decided to stay away from the tournament. At a press conference organized in the capital’s Hotel Crown Plaza, the players also complained over the change of venue for the ongoing Pespi Standard Chartered one day national cricket tournament from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The tournament kicked off on Wednesday.
“We are ready to face action, if any, is taken against us,” said skipper Khadka at the press meet.
Paras Khadka at the Press Conference held to announce boycott of national team players from One Day National Championship, at Hotel Crowne Plaza.
Photo: Bikash Karki
The cricketers are dissatisfied with the CAN’s decision to shift the venue of the national tournament just ahead of Asian Premiere League, which begins in Malaysia from May 1.
The cricketers have hoped that their walking out from the ongoing national tournament would put pressure on the CAN to address their demands for the welfare of the cricketers in Nepal.
The players have been demanding the implementation of the decision regarding the new perks and emoluments recently announced for the national level cricketers. They have also demanded the free treatment for the cricketer Prithu Baskota, who was injured during qualifying tournament for the One Day World cup held in New Zealand this year.
Impressed with Nepali players performance at the World T20 Cup tournament held in Bangladesh last month, the government had promised to increase the perks and benefits for the national level cricketers.