MIRPUR, FEB 3: The International Cricket Council (ICC) released a statement on Tuesday to confirm that Nepal captain Raju Rijal is eligible to play in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2016.

Former Ranji Trophy player Kaustub Pawar had alleged that Raju Rijal had captained Mumbai U-15 back in 2000 as Raju Sharma and he should be aged around 25-26 years. After reviewing the documents submitted by Cricket Association of Nepal again, ICC has declared Rijal to be eligible to continue playing in the tournament.

The press release on ICC’s website stated, “The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed that following queries raised about the eligibility of Nepal captain Raju Rijal, it has looked into the matter and is satisfied that the player is eligible to play in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016.

The ICC has spoken with the Chief Executive of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), concerned player and the Nepal Team Manager, and 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.

As such, the ICC has no evidence to suggest 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.

Unless any new information comes to light, the ICC considers this matter closed.”

This is definitely going to be a sigh of relief for the Nepalese side. The team is to face Bangladesh on Friday in the quarter final game of the tournament.