Nadir euphoric that Everest has been chosen as a broadcast venue for ICC U19 World Cup

…says Everest in ‘pink of condition’

By Timothy Jaikarran

The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 will be held in four host countries: Antigua, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago, with 10 venues hosting matches. Moreover, it will kick-start in Guyana with matches being played at the Everest Cricket Club and the Providence Stadium on the 14-15 January 2022.
President of the Everest Cricket Club, Manzoor Nadir, is elated that the club has been chosen as a broadcast venue, and has noted that the Everest Cricket Club in particular is in the ‘pink of condition’, and that fans should look forward to a balanced game.

Preparation
“Everest is in the pink of condition”, said Nadir as he noted that the club was fortunate to have started their capital development programme in 2019. He stated that as COVID caused a shutdown, the club took the opportunity to accelerate the capital development programme.
Nadir relayed that he is also proud of the fact that, had Everest not been in the shape it is in, Guyana may not have qualified to host the ICC Under-19 World Cup. According to Nadir, there was a demand for two broadcast venues, the ICC/CWI team which was in Guyana was very pleased with the preparations and developments at Everest.
Despite having to do a few minor adjustments to suit the ICC requirements, the club is in tip-top shape and ready to host its first game.

Nadir proud of Guyana/Everest
“First of all, I want to say that I feel extremely proud that Guyana once again for the fourth time is an ICC World Cup venue. We have had three other World Cup tournaments, and I am very proud that Guyana continues to be a host venue for ICC World Cup. I am also extremely proud, and I can speak for the executive and members that Everest has been chosen to be a broadcast venue,” Nadir posited.
Everest, like Bourda, has had a long history in hosting international matches, he explained, and with the implementation of the internet, social media and live broadcast of the game from the Everest Cricket Club, he said, all of Guyana should be proud that there are two broadcast venues.
Nadir reiterated that many must aspire to have more broadcast matches, as it is his belief that these matches should go to many areas that have comfortable facilities.

What to expect
In terms of what to expect from the Everest pitch on the two given days, Nadir said that Everest has always been a balanced pitch. He expects bowlers, especially the quicker bowlers in the afternoon, when the tide is rolling in, to get much swing when the North East Tradewinds are blowing in, hence he urged that batsmen should watch out for the swing. He predicted that the pitch would play very true, and if the batsmen play through the line, they can make good scores. The Everest President also boasted of having an excellent curator who has consistently won the best groundsman category from the Guyana Cricket Board. He also assured both fans and players that the club is going to produce wickets that are even and exciting for cricket.

International games are a stepping stone
“Yes, I see this as a big stepping stone. Everest has to aim to get international standard lighting, not only to host international cricket matches, but our players in Guyana need to be playing in top class facilities,” he explained.
Nadir specified that the training facilities, bowling machines, all equipment for fielding and catching, excellent outfield and the accommodation, one must let these standards be everyday standards, whether it be a master’s team or a young cricket team. He conveyed that Guyana has to have many more facilities all across the country if the nation is going to produce top national and international players.
“So, as the President of Everest Cricket Club, yes, I am very proud of the standards which we have achieved, but at the same time I encourage other clubs to dig deep into their membership. Don’t wait for resources to fall from above, but dig deep and develop your facilities. Beat the challenges with solutions rather than complaints, and the game of cricket and many other games will see Guyanese develop skills that will propel them to the international level,” he clarified.

Schedule
* Jan 14 – West Indies U19 vs Australia U19, 1st Match, Group D – Providence Stadium, Guyana 10:00 AM
* Jan 14 – Sri Lanka U19 vs Scotland U19, 2nd Match, Group D – Everest Cricket Club Ground, Georgetown 10:00 AM
* Jan 15 – Ireland U19 vs Uganda U19, 5th Match, Group B – Everest Cricket Club Ground, Georgetown 10:00 AM
* Jan 15 – India U19 vs South Africa U19, 4th Match, Group B – Providence Stadium, Guyana 10:00 AM