JUNE 11 - KATHMANDU,
The corruption scandal of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has taken a toll on the country’s cricket after the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday decided to give the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 hosting rights to Uganda.
In mid-April, world cricket’s governing body had sent an official proposal to Nepal to host the Division 3, which CAN officials themselves had verified. CAN responded positively and had already started preparations to host the tournament.
However, after 10 CAN officials were charge-sheeted for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement of millions of rupees, the ICC may have decided to give the hosting rights to Uganda instead.
ICC hasn’t stated the reason for naming Uganda as the hosts in its release issued on Tuesday but considering the position the CAN is in now, it was not possible for them to make any dealings with the cricket authority of Nepal.
The Commission for the Investigation of the Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Sunday booked 10 CAN officials including the top brass at the Special Court for their alleged involvement in embezzling Rs 14.31 million in the construction of the Mulpani Cricket Stadium.
President Tanka Aangbu-hang, vice-presidents Chatur Bahadur Chand, Sunil Amatya and Binod Mainali, general secretary Ashok Nath Pyakuryal, treasurer Raju Babu Shrestha, secretary Thakur Prasad Pahadi members Kiran Rana, Thakur Pratap Thapa and Purna Bahadur Lama were booked for the alleged corruption.
The Division 3 would have been Nepal’s second ICC event after hosting the Division 5 tournament in 2010, which they won. The Division 3 is slated for October 26 to November 2 and will be participate in by Nepal, Uganda, Bermuda, USA and the top two teams from Division 4. The Division 4 is slated for September 21-28 in Singapore.
Losing Division 3 is a massive setback for Nepal who are aspiring to excel their level in world cricket following a disastrous ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand. Nepal travelled to New Zealand Qualifier — which sent two teams in the 2015 World Cup and provided four teams with ODI status — following a run of successful results in the ICC ladder.
In the span of eight months, Nepal had climbed to Division 2 from 4 but their dream journey ended in a ninth place finish in New Zealand which saw them relegate to Division 3. A Division 3 tournament under home conditions would have made Nepal a firm favourites.
However after the ICC decision, Nepal will now have to travel to an unknown territory in Uganda who are hosting their first ICC tournament. The ICC recently had given another chance to Nepal and other non-Test playing countries to fight for the future ICC programmes.
The top two teams from Division 3 will win promotion to Division 2 which will also serve as the Qualifier for the ICC World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) and ICC InterContinental Cup (ICup). Netherlands, Namibia, Kenya and Canada are currently in Division 2, the date and venue of which is yet to be finalised. The WCLC also opens doors for the non-Test playing countries to fight for Test status.
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