'Cricket interest there is humongous' - Wasim Akram urges cricket world to pay attention to Nepal

The great rise of Nepal's cricket has caught the attention of a former Pakistani legend, Wasim Akram, who believes that the world should pay their attention to the rapidly emerging team. Nepal are set to make their debut in the Asia Cup and will be facing Pakistan in Multan on August 30 followed by a match against India in Kandy on September 4.

While the focus has been primarily on the big India-Pakistan rivalry, Akram highlighted Nepal's significant progress in cricket, acknowledging the nation's growing fanbase and passion for the sport. He recollected the memory of matches played in Kathmandu, where supporters gathered at the Tribhuvan University ground in unprecedented numbers in spite of rain. 

“I have been following Nepal, They qualified and have done really well. Cricket interest is humongous there. I have seen the pictures from one of the matches where the stadium was packed, and half the people were sitting in trees outside," Akram said at unveiling of the Asia Cup trophy in Dubai.

Akram commended Nepal for their Asia Cup qualification and urged them to further develop their cricketing infrastructure to compete with the top teams.

“That is the passion for the game, and it is only going to get bigger and bigger. Congratulations to Nepal for the way they have qualified. Now they just have to improve their structure, the first-class and domestic set-up, then they can start to compete with the top teams,” Akram added.

Sports should be apart from each other: Wasim Akram

While the rivalry between India and Pakistan remains a focal point, the decision of Pakistan's government to travel to India for the World Cup has been welcomed by Akram.

“I always maintain that politics and sport should be apart from each other. People-to-people contact is very important and the average Indian and Pakistani does love and respect each other, so I hope sanity prevails,” he concluded.