BCCI to prepare Nepal for T20 World Cup qualifiers

The Nepali national team will play practice matches in New Delhi Oct 20-30 ahead of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates from Nov 15.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to a proposal of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to provide help in promoting cricket in the neighbouring country.

A CAN delegation visited Delhi last week to tie up the team's short itinerary and Monday BCCI administrative manager Ratnakar Shetty approved it after it was cleared by board's interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya.

Former BCCI official Amrit Mathur, who is now CAN's international consultant, worked out the modalities of the tie-up with the BCCI officials after a Nepalese delegation held talks with DDCA chief Arun Jaitley and Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association president Jyotiraditya Scindia in Delhi last week.

Senior CAN member Sanjeev Pandey said the BCCI promised to continue the India-Nepalese cricket cooperation even after the World cup.

CAN president Tanka Angubhang said the BCCI responded positively and the two senior Indian board officials were more than willing to help the Nepali cricketers.

"It is a historic deal," said the CAN chief.

"I will help as much as I can as Nepal is my second home," said Scindia.

Manager of the High Performance Programme Committee (HPPC) Purna Lama said it was a big achievement for Nepali cricket and the short tour would help their players prepare for the World Cup.