Saudi Arabia makes entry into Nepali consciousness through sport

Recent debuts by Saudi athletes at international competitions in Nepal have left a mark on the Himalayan state, with impressive performances introducing the Kingdom’s new sporting image to the country.

The first occasion was in April, with the Saudi men’s national cricket team taking part in the Asian Cricket Council Premier Cup 2023.

They booked their flight to Kathmandu after sweeping away opponents in the ACC Men’s Challenger Cup in Thailand in February and soon raised eyebrows when they outplayed their Gulf neighbor, Qatar, during the tournament in Nepal.

While their much-awaited game with the hosts was abandoned due to rain, they made an impression on Nepali cricket fans and stakeholders with their performance and behind-the-scenes efforts that have not gone unseen.

The efforts go beyond the team and the work of head coach Kabir Khan.

Dipendra Chaudhary, former Nepali national team cricketer and the chief selector of the Cricket Association of Nepal, feels Saudi Arabia’s rise in cricket should also be credited to its unwavering support back home.

“We saw their performance in the recently held ACC Premier Cup and that impressed me. But more important is the support they are getting from the government,” he told Arab News.

“We hear they are approaching bigger teams for various tournaments, and to add on, Kabir Khan has been supported very well in the development phase. He is working aggressively in that part and has plans in place for a long run.”

Saudi Arabia are taking part in the 2023 ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier A in September. They will face Kuwait, Maldives, and hosts Qatar for a spot in the 2023 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier.

Nepal is scheduled to host the final qualifier tournament in