Nepal, Netherlands set to play against MCC at Lord's this year

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is all set to host a tri-series in July this year. The popular club has invited two ICC Associate Nations, namely Nepal and Netherlands, to compete in the triangular T20 tournament. The matches of the tournament will be played on July 29, 2018. Interestingly, all the matches will be played on the very same day. There will be three T20 fixtures played on the day with each team facing off against one another.

The first match is scheduled to begin at 10 AM local time. And the third and the final match will commence at 4:30 PM local time. It is worth noting that both Nepal and Netherlands recently received their full One Day International status from the ICC. This is the first time that Nepal has been given this honor. This is not the first time when Nepal will be playing at the Lord’s.

They had faced off against MCC in a fixture in 2016 that was played to mark the 200 year relationship between Britain and Nepal. The Nepalese side had won the match by 41 runs. Also, for the Netherlands team, the venue is a special one. It is the very same venue where they had shocked the English side in a T20I fixture in the ICC World T20 2019. The MCC Head of Cricket is hoping for an excellent turnaround for the game and has promised to bring in some big names in the MCC side.

“We are thrilled that both Nepal and the Netherlands will be joining us at Lord’s for what is set to be another uplifting day at the Home of Cricket following Afghanistan’s historic visit last year. We expect to be able to field an MCC side with some big names which will certainly make for a competitive day of cricket. We look forward to welcoming supporters of all competing sides to create what we hope will be a great atmosphere at Lord’s,” MCC Head of Cricket, John Stephenson, quoted.

Paras Khadka shows his gratitude to MCC

Meanwhile, the happy Nepalese skipper Paras Khadka has thanked the MCC for the big opportunity. Khadka, who has witnessed Nepal’s rise very closely, remarked that playing at the Lord’s would be a special opportunity. Furthermore, he urged the Nepalese clan in England to come out and support their side in big numbers for the match.

“It gives me immense pleasure that Nepal will play at the Home of the Cricket again this year with MCC and the Netherlands. Playing at Lord’s is always special and we are really looking forward to it. I urge all cricket lovers, and especially the British Nepalese diaspora, to come and support the event and the Nepal team,” Paras Khadka quoted.

“I would also like to thank MCC and especially John Stephenson who has been working hard to promote Associate Nations. MCC and Nepal Cricket have been working together and have a wonderful relationship which we hope will continue to grow,” he added further as per the reports on the official website of the MCC..

Proud moment to play at the Lord’s

On the other hand, the head coach of the Dutch side, Ryan Campbell, also noted that playing at the Lord’s is a big honor for any cricket player. He is confident that his side will do well in the competition and there would be a healthy contest among the players to get in to the side for the fixtures.

“Anytime a cricketer is given the opportunity to play at Lord’s, it is something they should cherish and will think of for the rest of his life. For us to be invited to play there against the MCC and Nepal will be a very special occasion and I’m sure all of our players will be doing everything they can to gain selection into that squad,” Netherlands Head Coach, Ryan Campbell, remarked.

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