The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday said it is carrying out further assessment to decide whether or not Nepal can host Namibia in the third round matches of the ICC World Cricket League Champion-ship (WCLC). 

Nepal are scheduled to play Namibia on April 16 and 18 but their status as the hosts has been in doubt due to a dual existence of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN)— one an ad-hoc committee led by Ramesh Silwal and the other elected committee as claimed by the Chatur Bahadur Chand. 

The ICC, in February, had expressed concerns over a non-functioning cricket governing body saying it was considering a range of sanctions including the suspension of CAN due to prolonged dispute in governance. That stance had cast doubt over the games in Kathmandu. 

However on Wednesday, ICC said a further decision will be taken over Nepal’s status as hosts after another assessment. Following an agreement with both committees and support from the National Sports Council (NSC), it has been agreed to form an independent selection panel that will include national team coach, skipper and Asia Development Officer Venkatapathy Raju acting as an advisor. 

“Asia Development Manager Bandula Warnapura will undertake an inspection of the Tribhuvan University grounds to assess its suitability to host the matches, while a local security plan will be developed for the assessment and approval of ICC,” the world cricket governing body said in a release. 

“If these assessments are passed the matches will take place in Kathmandu, with ICC conducting the match preparations and operations on an independent basis,” said the release indicating that no officials from the two committees will be involved in hosting the games. 

Bhawana Ghimire, who has been given a contract extension as CEO by the ad-hoc committee and not retained by Chand-led body, will liaise with the ICC to host the tournament, the ICC said. If Nepal fail to pass these assessments, the matches will be relocated to an alternate venue outside Nepal. “The governance challenges currently being faced by Nepal cricket are unfortunate to say the least,” said ICC Head of Global Development, Tim Anderson in the release. 

“However, in the best interests of the game, the players and the fans, we are heartened by the cooperation of all parties in agreeing a set of solutions that allows these important matches to be played, and consideration given to them being played in Nepal,” Anderson added.

Nepal cricket has been hit hard after the controversial general assembly carried out by out by Chand-led faction, defying the  NSC directive not to elect a new committee. Few days later after the election, the sports governing body of Nepal formed an ad-hoc committee refusing to give legitimacy to the Chand -led panel. The Chand-led committee moved the Supreme Court against the NSC decision but the verdict is yet to come.