Kathmandu, Dec. 20: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has farewelled the national cricket team heading to participate in the ACC Under 19 Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates amid an event here today.

On the occasion, Minister for Youth and Sports Maheshwor Jung Gahatraj and the CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand and CAN other office bearers offered best wishes to the national team.

The Nepali team (Captain Dev Khanal, Sher Malla, Dipesh Kandel, Bibek Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Bibek Ranamagar, Santosh Karki, Aadil Ansari, Tilakraj Bhandari, Arjun Kumal, Bashir Ahamad, Durgesh Gupta, Prakash Jaisi, Arjun Saud, Rahul Bhandari and Coach Basanta Shahi) is departing to UAE at 10:00 pm.

Eight countries—Nepal, hosts UAE, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Pakistan—are participating in the tournament that is scheduled to take place on December 23-31.

The participating teams have been categorised into two groups. Nepal alongside Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kuwait is placed in Group 'B'. Likewise, hosts UAE, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan are in Group 'A'. Nepal is playing its opening match against Bangladesh on December 23 and the second match against Sri Lanka on December 26.