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| Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground |
| Nickname | TU Cricket Ground |
| Location | Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Opened | 1957 |
| Renovated | 2019 |
| Owner | Tribhuvan University |
| Operator | Cricket Association of Nepal |
| Capacity | 20,000 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Tenants | Nepal national cricket team |
Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground is a multi-purpose cricket venue located in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. The ground serves as the principal international cricket venue for the Nepal national cricket team and as a home for domestic tournaments administered by the Cricket Association of Nepal. It sits on land affiliated with Tribhuvan University and has hosted matches involving teams from the International Cricket Council, Asian Cricket Council, and bilateral tours.
The site was established in the 1950s during the reign of Mahendra of Nepal and developed further through initiatives linked to Tribhuvan University expansion and sporting promotion under figures associated with the Nepal Olympic Committee. Early fixtures included fixtures with visiting sides from India and Pakistan as well as regional contests tied to the Asian Cricket Council development programs. The ground gained international recognition when it staged matches for the ICC World Cricket League and ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier events, attracting participation from teams such as Scotland national cricket team, Netherlands national cricket team, Afghanistan national cricket team, and Zimbabwe national cricket team. Administrators from the International Cricket Council and delegates from the Marylebone Cricket Club have inspected the venue during accreditation visits. The ground played a role in Nepal's cricketing rise alongside milestones involving individuals linked to Paras Shah's era and later administrations including officials tied to the Cricket Association of Nepal and reform efforts influenced by Asian Cricket Council grants.
The complex occupies terrain near landmarks associated with Kirtipur Durbar Square and institutions like the Central Department of Environmental Science at Tribhuvan University, with access routes from Ring Road, Kathmandu. It features a well-drained outfield, natural grass playing surface, and practice nets used by squads such as the Nepal national under-19 cricket team and domestic clubs including APF Club (Nepal), Tribhuvan Army Club, and Rupandehi XI. Spectator amenities include stands with seating, media boxes used by broadcasters such as ESPNcricinfo and commentators who have worked on ICC tournaments, and pavilion facilities comparable to stadia evaluated during ICC accreditation processes. Floodlights were installed to meet scheduling needs similar to fixtures in venues like Eden Gardens and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Support infrastructure has hosted teams preparing for competitions like the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup and training camps run by coaches with links to organizations such as the Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation.
The ground has hosted official One Day International and Twenty20 International fixtures involving the Nepal national cricket team against opponents including Hong Kong national cricket team, United Arab Emirates national cricket team, Oman national cricket team, and touring sides from Bangladesh national cricket team and Ireland national cricket team. It served as a venue for qualification rounds of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier and has staged matches in regional tournaments like the ACC Premier League and SAFF Championship adjacent sporting events. Domestic competitions held here include the National Cricket Tournament and club fixtures featuring teams such as GoldenGate International College Cricket Club and APF Club (Nepal). The venue has also accommodated matches featuring development squads from England Lions and invitational XIs with coaching input tied to personnel who have worked with ICC High Performance Programme initiatives.
Statistical highlights at the venue include notable individual performances by players from Paras Khadka, Sandeep Lamichhane, Gyanendra Malla, and visiting performers from Paul Stirling and Eoin Morgan during warm-up and qualifier matches. Bowling records have been influenced by spin-friendly surfaces similar to those encountered by players like Shahid Afridi and Anil Kumble in the subcontinent, producing memorable figures by local pacers and spinners. Team totals recorded at the ground reflect competitive scores in both limited-overs and Twenty20 formats, with milestones entered into databases maintained by organizations such as ESPNcricinfo and CricketArchive. Captains representing Nepal national cricket team achieved landmark wins contributing to Nepal's rise in ICC rankings and qualification trajectories in events administered by the International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council.
Renovation phases have been funded through a mix of university allocations, grants linked to the Asian Cricket Council and International Cricket Council, and assistance from stakeholders including the Nepal Sports Council and private sponsors. Upgrades implemented ahead of tournaments included modernization of the drainage system, refurbishment of dressing rooms, expansion of spectator stands, and installation of practice facilities analogous to improvements seen at Bangabandhu National Stadium and MCA Stadium. Proposals for future development have referenced master plans coordinated with Tribhuvan University authorities and municipal bodies such as the Kathmandu Metropolitan City to improve access, parking, and hospitality features suitable for hosting larger ICC events and regional competitions.
The venue has hosted landmark matches including qualifiers that facilitated Nepal's progression in the ICC World Cricket League and memorable fixtures that drew dignitaries from entities like the Embassy of India, Kathmandu and sports delegations from Japan and China. The ground has been used for cultural and community events linked to university functions at Tribhuvan University campus, outreach programs run in partnership with the Nepal Red Cross Society and youth initiatives supported by the UNICEF Nepal office. High-profile coaching camps and talent-identification clinics featuring figures associated with Marylebone Cricket Club coaches, ICC development officers, and former international players have taken place here, contributing to the venue's role in regional cricket development and sporting diplomacy involving neighbors such as India and Bangladesh.
Category:Cricket grounds in Nepal Category:Sport in Kathmandu