Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane seems to have won over World Cup winning captain Michael Clarke as the Australian showed up in person to receive the leg -spinning sensation at the Sydney International Airport on Monday.

Lamichhane had left for Australia on Sunday for training at the Clarke’s Cricket Academy and play Sydney Grade cricket for the former Australian skipper’s home side Western Suburbs District Cricket Club.

In a video shared by Clarke in his official facebook and twitter pages, Clarke appears to be holding a placard with Lamichhane’s name on it. As Lamichhane approaches near, Clarke shakes hands with the Nepali teen and hugs him before posing for photos.

“Absolutely pumped to see my little mate arrive in Sydney,” Clarke wrote in the shared video. The video has been shared over thousand times and the Nepalese around the world have showered the former Australia skipper with words of praises for helping  Nepali cricket.

“Great to see Michael Clarke give that opportunity to a young Nepali cricketer and welcome him with such excitement and passion,” said national cricket team skipper Paras Khadka sharing a group photo of Clarke and Lamichhane.

Lamichhane came into notice of Clarke when the two teamed up for the Hong Kong Blitz Twenty20 cricket tournament in May when the duo played for Kowloon Cantons Cricket Club. Impressed by the bowling skills, Clarke had then invited Lamichhane to train at his academy in Australia.

Clarke will be supporting the finances of Lamichhane during his Australia tour as the Nepali bowler is expected to complete the six-month Grade cricket season scheduled to begin from September 24. The two cricketers will reunite playing for Western Suburbs against Mosman at the Allan Border Oval on the opening day.

Grade cricket is the senior inter-club or district competitions in each of the Australian states and territories. It is the gateway for cricketers to make their way for State teams and ultimately the national side.