Kathmandu – Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has selected a 24 member preliminary squad for the initial phase closed camp of ICC World Cricket League Division 3 to be held in Uganda.
The 24 member squad includes Paras Khadka (Captain), Gyanendra Malla (Vice-Captain), Sharad Vesawkar, Binod Bhandari, Shakti Gauchan, Ram Naresh Giri, Basant Regmi, Subash Khakurel, Jitendra Mukhiya, Sagar Pun, Mahaboob Alam, Sompal Kami, Naresh Budhayer, Aarif Sheikh, Pradeep Airee, Puspa Thapa, Bhuban Karki, Anil Mandal, Avinash Karn, Amrit Bhattarai, Manjeet Shrestha, Mahesh Chhetri, Rahul Vishwakarma & Yagyaman Kumal.
The closed camp is set to be start in Kathmandu from Bhadra 12, 2071.
The Division 3 is scheduled to be played from 26th October to 2nd November. This tournament is a pathway to Inter continental Cup (I-Cup)and WCL Championships which is planned to start in 2016. The top two earn promotion to Pepsi ICC WCL Division 2, which will be held in early 2015 and the top 4 teams of Div-2 along teams in Division 1 compete in the I-Cup.
The 50 over a side event will see participation from Uganda, Bermuda, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, USA. Nepal go into the tournaments as defending champions. Nepal had won the 2013 edition of the tournament held in Bermuda.
Concerns over the Venue
The United States Cricket Board has raised concerns over Ebola outbreak(In West Africa. Small scale Ebola outbreak was reported in Uganda as well but in 2012) and Security Provision of United States cricket team in Uganda.
ACC have planned an inspection on Nepalese Cricket Infrastructures and also directed CAN to prepare 3 Grounds. However it is not clear if its for shifting Division 3 to Nepal or for some other purpose. ACC refrained to provide any information regarding this issue when inquired.
