Though the Nepalese Cricket has just 12 years International background, the cricket vibes here is not less than any cricket crazy countries. Excellent results in the International arena, big business houses coming into game and many youths carrying the wooden bat is just an example how Nepalese cricket is booming in Nepal.

Recently the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) gave the final touch to long-aimed Ladies Cricket tournament, which was won by Nepalgunj team. With just four teams participating in the tournament, Nepalgunj team defeated Baitadi in the final to clinch the first National Ladies Cricket Championship.

Having a cricket powerhouse like India as its immediate neighbour and other neighboring countries Pakistan and Bangladesh, Nepal is gaining momentum in the men’s category while ladies team is set to take place in the first International ACC Women’s Cricket Tournament to be held in Malaysia next month.

On Sunday, the CAN announced the 18-member squad to prepare for the upcoming ACC Women’s Cricket Tournament. CAN officials informed that the players would be kept in closed camp from June 29 in Kathmandu. Eight players are from Nepalgunj, four from Bhairahawa and three each from Kathmandu and Baitadi.

The players are: Nairy Thapa (National Badminton player), Manisha Rawal, Mamata Thapa, Samjhana Sharma, Binu Budha Magar, Keshari Chaudhary (National Athletics player), Trishna Singh and Sita Rana from Nepalgunj, Nira Rajopadhyaya, Radhika Thapa and Samikshya Aryal from Kathmandu, Madhu Thapa, Saraswati Lamgade, Susmita Chaudhary and Nitu Thapa from Bhairahawa and Janaki Bhatta, Maya Rawat and Ritu Kanaujiya from Baitadi.

“Now the ladies aren’t just for the cheering the players”, Samjhana Shrestha, a cricket enthusiast, said, “I appreciate them (selected players) for their strong will and wish them luck for the upcoming tournament”.

However, the CAN will declare only final 14 players for the tournament in the next week. Nepal is drawn in Group A along with Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand. Bangladesh, China, Singapore and UAE are in Group B. Nepal will play their first match against Thailand on July 12 and will lock horns against Malaysia on July 14 and Hong Kong on July 15.

“We can be strong team in the world,” Sitasma Upreti, a college student, said, “Only India and Pakistan are strong in the south Asian block.”