The 2019 50-over Cricket World Cup Trophy will also come to Nepal, travelling en route its lengthiest tour so far in the history.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), the supreme body of the sport, confirmed that Nepal will be one of the 21 countries the Trophy will be travelling to in its nine-month long journey. England and Wales are hosting the 2019 showpiece event from May 30 to July 14.

“During the nine-month journey, the Trophy Tour will travel not only to countries taking part in the tournament, but for the first time ever will go beyond traditional cricket heartlands and connect with fans in a further 11 countries where cricket is growing including Nepal, USA and Germany,” ICC said in a statement on Saturday.

Beginning its journey from the ICC headquarters in Dubai, the Trophy will travel to Oman, the United States of America, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany before arriving in England and Wales on 19 February, 2019.

The Trophy will then embark on a 100-day domestic tour in the host countries. “During its journey, the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy will visit iconic and unusual locations, communities, schools, universities and even people’s homes in a bid to connect people globally in what will be the most unique, and accessible Trophy Tour to date,” added the statement.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said the Trophy Tour would give a unique opportunity to fans. “The Trophy Tour is a unique opportunity for fans around the world to be part of the World Cup and by going to more countries and more cities than ever before we’re giving people more opportunities to be part of this fantastic sporting event,” Richardson said in the statement.

It will be the second time that Nepali population will be gracing a World Cup Trophy of the most popular sporting events. Nepal had previously watched the football World Cup Trophy of the 2014 edition that was held in Brazil.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, England, South Africa, Australia, the West Indies and New Zealand are competing in the 10-team 2019 World Cup. West Indies and Afghanistan had made it to the World Cup after making top two finish in the Qualifiers that was held in Zimbabwe early this year. Nepal had finished eighth in the Qualifiers, a position that earned them the coveted One Day International status.