An anxious wait for Nepal will be over when they land at the feet of Lord’s on Tuesday to play a 50-over game against Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

The match at the ‘home of cricket’ will mark a 200-year relationship between Nepal and the United Kingdom but more than the game, it will be a history that Nepal will cherish forever. “I visited Lord’s in 2011 to watch a county game. I had paid £25 then but now here we are playing a match at the Lord’s itself,” said Sharad Vesawkar, national cricket team’s middle order mainstay. “It is going to be very special moment for us and I am very excited. I want to do something special because I know that it the atmosphere at the Lord’s is going to be very special,” added Vesawkar who has been in prime form with the national team for the last one year.

Nepali Embassy in London, Non Resident Nepalese Association UK and Nepal Tourism Board UK have been directly involved to make sure that the match attracts more than 5,000 people. Coach Jagat Tamatta sees a big challenge to perform well. “We will have huge backing for the game which will add more pressure for us to win,” said Tamatta. “Everyone is excited and we are not taking the game merely as a friendly. Everything will be special at Lord’s: a five-wicket haul, hat-trick, half century or a century. It will be a dream come true playing at Lord’s,” added Tamatta.

Nepal and MCC are playing on the same pitch used during the first Test between England and Pakistan that concluded on Sunday. Cricket greats like Sir Don Bradman of Australia, Graham Gooch of England and Aussie bowling legend Glenn McGrath have their name scripted in the dressing room. It is also home to world’s oldest sporting museum—the MCC Museum. It contains the most celebrated collection of cricketing memorabilia including The Ashes which resides there permanently.

With a long history to share, national team skipper Paras Khadka believed Nepali cricket has been very much privileged. “We are happy, proud and privileged to get this opportunity. Not everyone gets the opportunity to play at Lord’s. Its a historic moment for all the cricketers and everyone involved with Nepali cricket,” said Khadka. “It will also be a great chance to showcase our talent. Once again, its an opportunity to present Nepali cricket in a global platform. MCC is going to be competitive side,” said Khadka.

Khadka, however, doesn’t want to get carried away by emotions of making history and refrained from making promises. “Of course we want to do well because its the Lord’s where we are playing. We have never ever dreamt of playing here. We want to make the best out of this rare chance,” added Khadka.

MCC, which is fielding at least three county players, will be led by Keith Dutch, a Somerset allrounder. Nepal are yet to decide on their probable lineup for the match. “We will decide on our final XI after taking a final look at the pitch on Tuesday but definitely we will come up with our best combination,” said Tamatta.