Kantipur Max will broadcast all 55 matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the Nepali audience.

Kantipur Media Group’s Business Head Sagar KC and broadcast partner Xtreme Energy Drink’s Sales Head Pawan Kumar Shrestha signed an agreement at a function at Hard Rock Cafe in Durbar Marg, Kathmandu on Wednesday.

“We are glad to be part of this event,” Shrestha said. “We wish our Nepali team all the best for the World Cup.”

Kantipur Max will also have Nepali commentary on at least 10 matches, including all games of the Rhinos.

Of the two Kantipur Max channels—Kantipur Max HD and Kantipur Max 2 HD—one will broadcast the T20 World Cup with Nepali commentary.

“As per our agreement with the International Cricket Council (ICC), we will have Nepali commentary in at least 10 matches,” Mahesh Swar, KMG’s chief executive officer, said at the event. “When we were at the ICC Headquarters in Dubai to sign the agreement for the broadcast rights, we found that the ICC is impressed with the craze of cricket in Nepal.”

Nepal, who are in Group C, are playing their group stage matches against England, Italy, the West Indies and Scotland on February 8, 12, 15 and 17, respectively.

“There are high expectations with the Nepali team,” said Cricket Association of Nepal’s Secretary Paras Khadka, who was a guest at the agreement signing function. “We believe the team will play well.”

Khadka also praised the KMG for including Nepali commentary of Nepal’s World Cup matches, saying it was “a great move”. “It is a good platform for Nepali commentators,” Khadka, who captained Nepal to the maiden T20 World Cup in 2014, said. “And Nepali audiences can connect more with the games through the Nepali language.”

Khadka further shared that though he was busy with cricket administration duties for now, he could assume the role of a commentator in the future.

Khadka also said that CAN was thankful for Xtreme Energy Drinks’ regular support for Nepali cricket. “Xtreme Energy Drinks also sponsored the Nepali women’s cricket team, which was a great support for Nepali cricket,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kantipur TV’s Chief Operating Officer Suraj Singh Thakuri said that Kantipur plans to make national and international matches, especially those with Nepal’s participation, more accessible for Nepali sports fans.

“Kantipur is currently broadcasting the English Premier League after the successful broadcast of the previous edition of the Indian Premier League and Wimbledon,” Thakuri said. “Now we are bringing the biggest T20 event to Nepali households. We believe Nepali fans will enjoy it in Nepali commentary.”

Kantipur Max had also broadcast the second season of the Nepal Premier League with Nepali commentary, a step Nepali fans loved. The channel is also currently broadcasting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, the biggest-ever ICC event hosted by Nepal.

The Nepal men’s cricket team is currently training in Mumbai after a week-long session in Sri Lanka. They will play two practice T2os against the Mumbai Cricket Association’s President XI on Thursday and Saturday. They will then head to Chennai for two official warm-up fixtures with the UAE and Canada on February 3 and 5.