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Cricket in Baneswor
Cricket is not a popular game at our days. Only few
clubs were there in Kathmandu. As my brothers were interested in
listening cricket I was involved in this game. We three brothers (Pushkar
Dai, Ishwor Dai and myself) use to play cricket on the roof of our
house using table tennis ball and after that in our backyard by rubber
balls.
In Baneswor cricket was started by Santosh Gharti,
Shyam Malla, Ghanshyam dai, Samarendra Shahi, Bishnu Dai, Pramod dai,
Binod Dai. We use to practice behind the new building of Amar Adarsha
school at Bhimsen gola.
We used to play for time pass on Saturdays only.
Santosh Gharti (Now working in Nepal Rastra Bank) was the first coach
for me in Cricket. I was 13 years old when I started cricket on 2034
BS.
After that the cricket was started in Baneshwor
Height. Volley ball and Badminton were the popular game at Baneshwor
Height at that time. Prakash Bhandari was the founder of the real
Baneswor Cricket Club. I think he used to play cricket in India and
introduced this game at Baneshwor Height. At that time nobody thought
that this game will be so much popular in this location and in Nepal.
People around the ground were always angry with the
players as several glasses were broken while we were practicing.
We used to pay them but they thought that this is not a game to play.
There were few people who encouraged us even though their glasses were
broken by us, such as Captain Shah (the pilot).
We participated in Maharaja Jugal Kishore Cricket
Tournament in2039 B.S. It was a B division cricket tournament. We lost
7 matches but didn't left the tournament. At last in the 8th match we
won the game. This year was not so successful for us as participant
but as a team it was a great experience playing cricket.
In second year Prakash dai left playing cricket,
and we thought that the game is finished in our location. It was so
expensive for us to handle. But we guys (me, Pradeep, Ram Kumar, Arun,
Manoj) thought that we will play any how. So, in second year I was the
captain of Baneshwor Cricket Club. This year we improved a little bit
and won 4 games out of 7 games in that year.
Third year was the most frustrated year for me.
This year nobody took interest to play cricket, so I with Devendra Dai
introduced a new club. After hearing this other boys in the leadership
of Netra Dai has joined the tournament at the last moment. So, I
was in the weaker team and Baneshwor become one of the strongest team.
They won 5 matches out of seven until they played with us. We lost all
the seven games we played.
The last Match Baneswor Cricket Club vs CCC. If
Baneshwor wins they have a chance to win the B division. That day we
didn't have even 11 players in the ground but the sprit of ego were
with us. We want to win that game in any case. Baneswor won the toss
and invited us to bat, at one stage we were 42 for 8 but thanks to
Nissar (one of my friend from Kashmire) who hit 7 fours in his 37 run
inning and took our score to 74 all out. At that time it was an
average score. Baneshwor started the game with full confidence and
reached 50 with loosing only 2 wickets. The score reaches 58 for 2,
only 17 run needed and 8 wicket in hand. Then miracle happened, Afajal
took 6 wickets for 1 run and remaining 2 wickets by Sammer Dai.
Baneshwor bundled out for 64 and we won that game by 10 runs. I this
this was one of the best moments of my cricket life. In this year
players from CITY YOUNG Deharadun came to Nepal to play football also
played cricket for our team. The goalkeeper Vijerandra Sing and Umesh
the center forward was unbelievable.
Next year we were united again and this year we won
the B division easily.
BHCC with the trophy
Celebrating in the street
In the main time we found Crish watching
cricket at Tundikhel. He was a New Zealander. We asked him to join us
which he had accepted. And a new era started in Baneswor cricket. He
use to give us coaching specially fielding. By his effort we become a
fighting team. We beat KKM in a great style. KKM bated first and
scored 161 runs. In reply we were 114 for 7 when Crish was given
runout at bowler end at that time he was playing on 42 and Prakash DAi
at 3. It was not the right decision so we refuse to play but Crish
forced us to continue the game. The in the heat moment Prakash dai
took controll of the game. He smashed 2 huge sixes on of Binay's over
and other Nabin Suwal (Two fastest bowlers at that time). At last we
won the game by two wickets. It was a memorable game for Baneshwor
Height.
We beat Thamel, Garidhara and KKM in a tournament
and reched final. In the fianl we lost to Janakpur, that was my last
game for Baneswor Height for long period.
But once again I was out of team due to politics. I
scored the second highest runs in that year and in the match with KKM
I was told that I am out of team. It was unbearable so I decided to
launch a new team again and next time we won the B division as Min
Bhawan Cricket Club.
BHCC
(left to right Standing Prakash, Pradeep, Pravakar, Chandan, Srikantha,
Netra dai, Prakash, Pravat, Manoj sitting left to right- Arun, Salav,
Nutan and Subrat)
The first year was a most successful year for us
then we became an average team only. We used to threaten most of the
teams at that time but lack of finishing touch we were not able to win
matches.
On the other hand Baneswor Height become one of the
most successful cricket team of Nepal.
It was the past history of Cricket in Baneshwor. |
