ICC suspends Rahul, Sagar

BY UJJWAL ACHARYA

KATHMANDU, March 31 – International Cricket Council (ICC) has prohibited selection of two Nepali under-19 bowlers in any national team due to their suspect bowling action, a senior cricket official confirmed on Monday.

“ICC mailed us reporting the suspect action of Sagar Khadka and Rahul Biswokarma,” Tanka Paneru, the general secretary of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) informed. The ICC has directed CAN not to select them without ensuring remedial works. The ICC letter reads: “Please ensure that the analysis and any remedial work are carried out on these bowlers prior to any further selection as a bowler to any of your national team.”

The two spinners from Region No 4 Bhairahawa were part of the Nepali team that reached the plate final of the Youth World Cup held in Malaysia in February. As a key player of the team, Rahul took 10 wickets and scored 51 runs in six matches while Sagar took two wickets and scored 47 runs in as many matches.

“I have not been informed about this,” Rahul, considered a promising player, said over telephone. “I don’t think my bowling action is suspicious and if there is any doubt, I can improve on that.”

According to Paneru, CAN will decide on further steps only after the ongoing Springwood National League Cricket Tournament. This also means that both reported players, playing for their regional team in the national league, can continue playing in the event.

Nepal is scheduled to play two important international events this year – the World Cricket League Division 5 in May in Jersey and the ACC Elite Trophy in July. Both can not be considered for the selection of these events. The players reported for suspect action have to go through the action correction and can play again only after scientific analysis of the improved bowling action is found to be okay.