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The 10^th Edition of Nepal-Pakistan Friendship T20 Cricket Tournament concluded on Sunday.

The event commenced on February 8, 2025 and 12 teams of various clubs participated in the tournament.

Dhruba Acharya, Vice President of National Sports Council of Nepal, graced the ceremony as Chief Guest and awarded the trophy to the winning team Himalayan Cricket Academy. Whereas Angles Sports Academy won the runners-up trophy.

Special guests included Noha Hamdy Ahmed Elgebaly, Ambassador of Egypt to Nepal, Chen Song, Ambassador of China to Nepal, Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMOD, Humayun Kabir, Charge d’Affaires, Bangladesh Embassy,  Yu Pengcheng, Director Political & Media, China Embassy, Surendra Raj Regmi, CEO Global IME Bank, Manju Ratna Sakya, President Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association (NPFCA), Rabi Raj Shahi, Chairperson, K2 Everest Society.

The event was also attended by media fraternity and friends of Pakistan, representatives of civil society, Pakistani community and diplomats and officials of the Pakistan Embassy and their families. The Special Guests presented the prizes to prominent players and officials of the T20 Cricket Tournament.

Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Guest Acharya lauded the Pakistan Embassy’s initiative for successfully organizing the event. He added that the event is now on the sporting calendar of Kathmandu and a manifestation of close relations between Nepal and Pakistan.  He congratulated the winning team and lauded the organizers on successfully materializing the event. He added that the tournament contributed in providing opportunities to emerging cricket players of Nepal.

Ambassador of Pakistan Abrar H Hashmi, in his closing remarks, committed to continue to bring the youths of two countries together by organizing such events in future as well. The Ambassador congratulated all the teams, especially the winning team Himalayan Cricket Academy. He thanked the Chief Guest, special guests and the participants for their interest and presence in the event.

He also extended his gratitude to Himalayan Bank Limited and IME Global Banks for supporting the event. He appreciated the organizing team for making the event a success and also greeted the families of the Embassy officials.

FC Chitwan has secured Nepalese international forward Anjan Bista as their marquee player for the upcoming third season of the Nepal Super League (NSL) 2025. Bista, one of Nepal’s most accomplished footballers, brings extensive experience, skill, and leadership to FC Chitwan. Known for his goal-scoring prowess and attacking versatility, his inclusion strengthens the club’s ambitions for a successful NSL campaign.

“We are thrilled to welcome Anjan Bista to FC Chitwan. His track record, professionalism, and dedication to the sport make him an invaluable asset to our squad,” said FC Chitwan President Sachin Dhakal. “His presence will not only enhance our attacking play but also inspire our players and fans as we aim for a successful season.” Bista has been a key figure in Nepalese football, representing the national team with distinction and playing a crucial role in major international competitions. His ability to create scoring opportunities and lead from the front makes him a formidable force in Nepalese football.

“I am excited to join FC Chitwan and take on this new challenge in the Nepal Super League,” said Bista. “I look forward to working with my new teammates and contributing to the club’s success.”

I won’t go into the details of Subash Shahi’s early life. As a cricket fan, the first time I met Subash ‘dai’ was on a small paddy-field-like ground in Minbhawan, near Baneshwor. After school, my friends and I would gather there to play cricket. Those were the best days of our lives. I had a bat wrapped in black tape, and that was enough. Having a red tennis ball wasn’t a big deal back then. If we had a bat, cricket was easy to play. Some open spaces in Baneshwor, which weren’t yet developed, allowed us to enjoy the game.

Subash dai caught my attention with his smiley face. Even now, you’ll find most of his photos with a big smile. He was loved by everyone on the ground. His bowling action reminded me of Michael Kasprowicz from Australia. If you don’t know Kasprowicz, let me tell you he was the bowler who once made Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, sit on the bench for almost a year during their dominant era. Subash dai’s action was similar to Kasprowicz’s, though, of course, he wasn’t as fast. He got many wickets because he was older and more experienced than the rest of us (laughs).

Here’s a funny thing Subash dai probably had no idea we even played together back then. I shared this story with him when we met again after almost a decade, and at first, he didn’t remember those moments. But later, the memory came back to him.

So, why am I writing about Subash dai? Many might ask, “Why not write about other cricketers who’ve made cricket famous in Nepal?” But in the context of Nepali cricket, few people have invested so much money and effort into its development purely out of love for the game. At the top of that list is Shahi.

Born and raised in Dhangadi, Shahi always dreamed of making Dhangadi a hub for producing young cricketers. He started his own cricket academy in his hometown to achieve this dream. Coming from a prestigious political family, his father was the founder of SPA College in Dhangadi. The college not only has an excellent reputation for academics but is also known for producing local cricketers with its outstanding facilities.

A turning point in Nepali cricket history was when Nepal qualified for its first-ever Men’s T20 World Cup in 2014. This event united the entire country. Every young kid dreamed of playing for Nepal one day. While cricket was gaining recognition, the lack of infrastructure and proper pay for players was a big issue.

As a passionate cricket fan, Shahi closely observed all of this. In 2017, he came up with the idea of a Franchise Cricket League the first of its kind in Nepal. It wasn’t easy back then, as getting paid well for playing cricket was beyond any player’s dreams. But he initiated the process, held player auctions, and divided them into six franchise teams. That’s how the Dhangadi Premier League was born.

All the top Nepali cricket players participated in the tournament, which was covered by the media and broadcast live on television. Superstars like Jonty Rhodes even came to promote DPL. Shahi, was the mastermind behind the event. The first edition was a massive hit. Crowds filled the stadium, and it became one of the most-watched events on Nepali TV at the time. This inspired others to invest in cricket, and Subash deserves full credit for stepping in at such a critical time in Nepali cricket history.

Sadly, the tournament only lasted for two editions, but its impact was huge. His efforts set the foundation for other cricket initiatives in Nepal.

Apart from cricket, Shahi has also invested in football. He owns Dhangadi FC, a franchise football team that has performed well in the Nepal Super League. But his biggest role yet is being appointed as the Director of Fapla Cricket Stadium, a 40,000-seater stadium under construction. Once completed, it will set new standards for Nepali cricket. Subash is the right man for the job, and we hope the stadium will be completed under his leadership.

Dhangadi is already the powerhouse of Nepali cricket, and with Subash’s efforts, it might truly become the cricketing capital of Nepal.

Nepal’s rising tennis star, 13-year-old Shivali Gurung, has secured a sponsorship package worth Rs 2m for 2025, led by Bhat Bhateni Supermarket, Nepal’s largest retail chain. Currently ranked #12 in the Asian Tennis Federation’s U14 Girls’ category, Gurung is on track to break into the top 10 this year, representing Nepal on the global stage.  

The sponsorship, contributed by prominent brands and organizations such as Trust Nepal Overseas, Transweld Nepal, Dirk & Brown, Tipco, Infinity, Pepe Pizza, and Bhat Bhateni Holding, will fund her training, travel, and participation in international tournaments. Key contributors include Trust Nepal Overseas and Transweld Nepal, each pledging Rs 500,000 annually, and Bhat Bhateni Supermarket providing Rs 180,000 alongside goods worth Rs 100,000 through its holding company.  

Kalyan Gurung, Director of Bhat Bhateni Supermarket, emphasized the importance of investing in young talent, stating, “At Bhat Bhateni, we are committed to youth development and creating future athletes who will represent Nepal on the global stage. Supporting Shivali is part of our vision to inspire and nurture talent.” Similarly, Rabin Gurung, Chairperson of Trust Nepal Overseas, hailed Shivali’s dedication, adding, “Her talent embodies Nepal’s excellence, and we are excited to be part of her journey.”  

Expressing her gratitude, she said, “This sponsorship is a life-changing opportunity. I am thankful to all my sponsors for their generous support, which allows me to fully focus on my game and chase my dream of becoming Asia’s top U14 player. I hope to make Nepal proud.”  

Already an accomplished athlete, Gurung has won the U18 Nepal Championship, reached the ITF World Tennis Tour J30 finals, and delivered stellar performances in international tournaments across Asia.