KATHMANDU: With less than four months to go before the much-awaited 13th South Asian Games (SAG), the practice match for the Nepali national cricket team has not started yet.

The SAG, which is set to begin in Kathmandu and Pokhara starting December 1, will include a total of 27 games including cricket. Practice matches for twenty-six games are in full swing expect for the cricket match which is still on hold.

The NSC has drawn flak for not arranging a pitch for practice matches even though it is hopeful of clinching many SAG titles taking advantage of home ground.

The NSC had directed to start practice matches for all the games including the cricket from August 1.

Most of the national cricketers are in the dark about the SAG. Vice-captain of the Nepal national cricket team Gyanendra Malla says he is currently busy with the household jobs. He has no idea about the SAG.

The NSC appears helpless as it has failed to begin close training session while there are only 96 days to go prior to the SAG.

The NSC is postponing the practice matches time and again citing lack of cricket ground even though the women’s cricket team is underway at the TU Cricket ground.

The NSC, which had earlier said that it would begin practice matches for cricket from August 19, has postponed it for September 1/2.

Most of the national cricketers are in the dark about the SAG. Vice-captain of the Nepal National cricket team Gyanendra Malla says he is currently busy with the household jobs. He has no idea about SAG.

The practice match for the cricket has been on hold due to lack of cricket ground. “The close training session for the senior cricket team has not started due to lack of cricket ground. It will begin on September 1-2,” said Mahendra Rai, coordinator of National Cricket Preparation Committee.

According to Rai, the NSC has planned to conduct practice matches at under-construction national cricket ground, Mulpani.

There has been speculation that NSC is not prioritizing practice matches for the national cricket since it has been playing international matches. The cricket team has just arrived home from Singapore.

Aside from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are taking part in the cricket match.

Analysts say that the opponent teams will be dominant in the age-group matches since they include senior players, faking the age. So a long-term practice is required to tackle the teams.

Under-construction Mulpani Cricket Ground could also be used for the purpose but it lacks dressing rooms and toilets.

Senior cricketers are in the dark when, where and how their own practice matches will begin. “We have not been informed of the SAG, said Vice-captain Malla, adding, “I have heard that women’s team has been undergoing closed training session. I have not heard anything more than this.”

Mulpani-based National Cricket Ground is not still ready for the practice match as there is a house to the western direction of the ground where preparations are underway to conduct practice matches for men’s senior cricket team. There are a total of seven cricket grounds.

Earlier, prime minister’s one-day cricket tournament had been organized at the Mulpani cricket ground three months ago. During the period, a mat had been laid on the pitch after noticing some problems. No games had been organized since then. As a matter of fact, the condition of the Mulpani cricket ground is not good enough for the practice match.

Ajay Pandey involved in the black-topping the cricket ground has said the pitch construction is likely to take around one and a half months.

Of the total seven pitches, five cricket grounds are yet to be black-topped, added Pandey.