Cricket
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has announced cash awards of Rs300,000 to each member of the Nepali national cricket team for making it to the final qualifier of the 2023 World Cup.
The PM made the announcement during a programme to honour the team for their achievement, at Baluwatar on Friday morning.
Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates by nine runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method in the ICC League 2 match on Thursday to secure an automatic spot in the 2023 World Cup Cricket Qualifier.
Thursday’s dramatic victory saw Nepal finish with 40 points, a point above Namibia, to grab third place in League 2 to make it to the final qualifier alongside winners Scotland and runners-up Oman.
The 10-team final qualifying competition takes place in Zimbabwe from June 18 to July 9. The bottom five teams from Super League, the top three from League 2 and the top two from Qualifier Play-off will compete for the two spots in the cricket’s 50-over showpiece in India later this year.
Taking to his Facebook page, PM Prachanda also congratulated the Nepali cricket team for entering the World Cup Qualifier and enhancing the nation's pride and identity.
Last month, the PM had promised Rs200,000 to the national team cricketers after they swept the triangular series involving Scotland and Namibia 4-0.
According to Member Secretary of the National Sports Council Tanklal Ghising, the players will now be awarded Rs500,000 each.
Addressing the felicitation programme, the PM also instructed the sports authorities to install floodlights and an electronic scoreboard at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground – the only ICC-approved cricket venue in the country.
