By Krtishna Dawadi, Pokhara, Dec. 9: A club-level cricket qualifier match has been organised in Pokhara after a halt of nine months of sports activities due to ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The match that started from Tuesday would select players for the Prime Minister Cup 2020 scheduled for December 26 to be organised by the Kaski District Cricket Association.

All sports activities across the country had been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Various six teams—Machhapuchhre cricket club, Pokhara cricket club, Aranya Jyoti cricket club, Kaski cricket club and Rising Pokhara cricket club—have participated in the match, said the Association President Sanjaya Kanta Sigdel.

A team each of men and women would be selected for the PM Cup from the province-level men and women qualifiers to be held in the Pokhara Stadium from December 16, said the Association secretary Dipendra Chand.

Players have been elated following the resumption of sports activities after a long time. "We last played a match with Malaysia. We were disassociated from sports for long due to coronavirus. Now we are so happy as we are playing a match after a long time," said a cricketer Dipesh Khatri.