U19 Cricket World Cup: ICC gives clean chit to Nepal skipper Raju Rijal for overage allegations

ICC is set to allow Rijal to continue playing in the on-going U19 Cricket World Cup.​

Mirpur: There is a big sign of relief for Nepal U-19 cricket team as the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday confirmed that their captain Raju Rijal is eligible to play in the on-going U19 Cricket World Cup 2016.

The controversy started after the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officials and a former Ranji Trophy player Kaustubh Pawar had alleged that Rijal is a man called Raju Sharma, who had captained Mumbai U-15 back in 2000 and should be aged around 25-26 years.

But the cricket body is set to allow Rijal to continue playing in the tournament.

According to a press release on ICC website,"The ICC has spoken with the Chief Executive of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), concerned player and the Nepal Team Manager, has again reviewed the documents which were submitted by the CAN before the start of the competition. These documents include copies of his passport and birth certificate, which were issued by the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, as well as a signed age determination declaration."

"According to the official documents, Raju Rijal is born on 26 September 1996. Players born on or after 1 September 1996, are eligible to participate in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016."

Thus far, ICC has no evidence to prove that the passport and birth certificate, issued by the Nepalese government/authorities, are not genuine or that the statement provided by the player is false.

It means unless any new information comes to light, the ICC considers this matter closed.