Closed training of national cricket team started, some players absent

KATHMANDU: JAN. 3 – The closed training of the Nepali national men’s cricket team has started for the ICC T-20 World Cup qualifiers. Though it was said to start from Sunday, the closed training could not start as the dissatisfied players were not present.

In a meeting between former captain Gyanendra Malla on Sunday on behalf of disgruntled players and officials of the Nepal Cricket Association (CAN), it was claimed that the dispute was resolved after CAN agreed to withdraw the decision except for the change of captain and not to provide remuneration to four players for six months.

Monday’s training was attended by some players who had been absent earlier. According to CAN, some of the procedures including PCR testing are still pending. Some players, including former captain Gyanendra Malla, are yet to undergo PCR testing.

CAN chair Chatur Bahadur Chand said that the players have been given time till 6 pm today to participate in the closed training. However, sources said that it has not been decided whether Gyanendra and other players will return to training. Sources claim that other players will not participate in the training if Gyanendra decides to return to training.

Captain Sandeep Lamichhane is currently in Australia playing the Big Bash tournament. The board meeting of CAN had decided to remove Gyanendra and Dipendra from the post of captain and vice-captain and not to include Malla Airee, Sompal Kami and Kamal Singh Airee in the six-month central agreement.

After that, six members of CAN, including four players, held separate press conferences and said that CAN should correct its decision as it was wrong. Although CAN is ready to release the player’s central contract, it seems that Sandeep will be the captain.