A delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday said the cricket’s world governing body was totally satisfied with the progress of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

ICC deputy chairman Imran Khwaja, ICC Asia finance and operational officer Niteesha Kothari and ICC head of global development William Glenwright—who visited Nepal to conclude Nepal’s ICC readmission—held meetings with Youth and Sports Minister Maheshwor Jung Gahatraj, National Sports Council member secretary Tanka Lal Ghising and Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) president Chatur Bahadur Chand and highlighted overall development strategies undertaken by CAN in the reinstatement of Nepali cricket.

The visit, led by Khwaja, comes ten days after the ICC ended its controlled funding of CAN, after Nepal’s cricket governing body fulfilled all reinstatement conditions set by the apex international cricket body.

CAN needed to submit its plans, programmes and budget proposal to the ICC in advance which was subject to mandatory approval from the Dubai-based international body to have their fund released.

The lift of the controlled funding means the CAN will receive as much funding as any other one-day international associate member and will also be eligible to do their financial transaction independently.

Khwaja said that the ending of controlled funding had concluded Nepal’s ICC readmission and the CAN was independent to do its financial transaction.

He, however, warned that CAN should create a trustworthy environment.

The ICC had suspended CAN in April 2016 citing breach of ICC regulations that prohibit government interference in “free and fair elections”.

Nepal was readmitted as ICC member in 2019 following the election of a 17-member central working committee. However, a transition plan for Nepal's full reinstatement was kept in place that also included controlled funding.

ICC head of global development William Glenwright said he was happy with the CAN’s progress and added that Nepal had bright prospects in cricket.

CAN president Chand said he was grateful towards the efforts of the ICC representatives in the reinstatement of Nepal.

“The readmission has added extra energy in the development of Nepali cricket,” he said.