Ahead of Nepal's first-ever home ODI versus Oman in Kathmandu on Wednesday (February 5) as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane believes his country's success during the seven-team league competition will lay the foundation towards achieving Test status.
Cricket-mad Nepal has been gradually progressing through the ranks, without adequate governance and top-class domestic structure; however, Lamichhahne, who is the nation's first global star since being recognised by various franchises in the leagues across the globe, remains optimistic.
"It's simple. I have a dream to play Test cricket for Nepal and every little contribution from my side will go for Nepal cricket," Lamichhane told ESPNcricinfo. "Till the day of retirement of my cricket career, I would like to play Test cricket for Nepal. I think the sight of playing Test cricket for Nepal will be amazing. I can get those vibes straight away right now, how that feeling will be in the future. Little steps will take me to that place."
Success in white-ball cricket remains the only pathway towards Test cricket now for the associates, with the Intercontinental Cup quietly disbanded by the ICC, after Ireland and Afghanistan's progression, because of limited financial wealth available to spend for the development of associates, borne out of a heavily skewed, full-member favouring ICC funding-model.
"You can't even imagine the excitement level for all the players right now," Lamichhane said, with Nepal due to take on Oman and also USA in four games in the next week. "Individually, I'm really excited about these four games that are going to be played against USA and Oman, pretty important games for us [if we are to] play in the World Cup 2023."
"First time playing in home conditions, first-ever ODI for Nepal to host right now, so pretty excited and I'm really hoping to see more than 20,000 audience to come and cheer for Nepal."
"If you see in this stadium in the sitting areas, there is no one right now, but come Wednesday it will be fully jam-packed and I can't wait to see all those spectators who will come here and support us," he added.
"It will be an amazing experience. For the four games, Nepal is going to play here, it will be jam-packed."
(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)
