NEW DELHI: In a significant boost to Nepal's cricketing aspirations, the Nepal Government has earmarked a sum of five crore rupees to aid the preparation of the national cricket team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
The announcement was made via the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Nepal.
"The Government of Nepal has provided five crore rupees to the Nepal Cricket Association @CricketNep for the preparation of the Nepali national cricket team that will participate in the T20 World Cup @T20WorldCup to be held in the United States and the West Indies from 1 to 29 June 2024," PMO Nepal tweeted.
The allocation of funds underscores the government's commitment to bolstering the country's cricketing prospects and facilitating the national team's readiness for the prestigious tournament.
Scheduled to be held from June 1 to 29, the 2024 T20 World Cup will mark the largest-ever ICC event, featuring 55 matches across nine cities, including three in the USA and six in the West Indies.
In a recent tri-nation series match, Nepal faced a narrow defeat against the Netherlands at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. Despite a valiant effort, Nepal succumbed to a four-wicket loss against the Dutch team.
During the match, Nepal's left-arm spinner Kushal Malla exhibited an impressive performance, claiming four crucial wickets to keep his team in contention. However, the Netherlands' Sybrand Engelbrecht's resilient batting steered his side to victory, ensuring they crossed the finishing line with three balls to spare.
Earlier in the innings, Nepal, led by Rohit Paudel, displayed a commendable batting performance, posting a competitive total of 184/8 on the board. Aasif Sheikh, Gulsan Jha, Kushal Malla, and skipper Paudel contributed significantly with the bat, setting up a challenging target for the opposition.
Despite the defeat, Nepal's spirited performance reflects the team's determination and potential on the international cricketing stage. With the government's financial support, coupled with the players' resilience, Nepal aims to make a strong impression at the upcoming T20 World Cup and elevate its stature in the cricketing world.
(With inputs from ANI)
