ICC Chair Barclay coming Nepal for a four-day visit

KATHMANDU: International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairperson Greg Barclay is arriving in Kathmandu for a four-day visit on March 18.

The Cricket Association Nepal (CAN) confirmed Barclay’s visit in a statement issued on Wednesday.

“This visit marks a significant step in strengthening ties with the ICC and exploring more opportunities for the development of the sport in Nepal,” CAN said in the statement.

Barclay is the highest-ranked ICC official to visit Nepal thus far.

The ICC Chairperson is scheduled to inspect facilities at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground and Mulpani Cricket Stadium. He will also hold official meetings with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Minister for Finance Barsha Man Pun, and Minister of Youth and Sports Biraj Bhakta Shrestha to discuss cricket support, funding opportunities, and integration into national sports policies, according to CAN.

Barclay expressed his delight in visiting Nepal to witness firsthand the progress achieved by CAN. “The Association has worked to grow participation and advance the popularity and support for the sport in the region. The success stories have already begun to manifest in the form of the senior men’s team’s qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in the coming months,” Barclay said in the statement issued by CAN.

He added that he looks forward to visiting the facilities at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground and Mulpani Cricket Stadium as Nepal prepares to co-host the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2027.

CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand said CAN believes that the visit will shape the future of cricket in Nepal. “This visit not only signifies the ICC’s recognition of Nepal’s cricketing potential but also presents a unique opportunity to foster meaningful discussions that will propel the development of cricket in our nation,” he added in the statement.