Nepal wins ICC Global Award for Digital Fan Engagement

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 21: Nepal has been awarded the ICC Global Award for Digital Fan Engagement of the Year for the second year in a row. The honour was presented on Saturday at the ICC Annual Conference held in Singapore.

Representatives from the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) — President Chatur Bahadur Chand, Secretary Paras Khadka, and Treasurer Padam Khadka — received the award on behalf of the nation.

Nepal had also won this award last year. The recognition highlights Nepal’s growing reputation for connecting with fans through digital platforms. According to the ICC, CAN’s strategic expansion on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and newly launched Domestic Facebook accounts led to a reach of approximately 117 million. The overall follower count rose from 1.17 million to over 1.59 million, gaining more than 420,000 new followers.

On Facebook (CAN Official), video watch time doubled to more than 13.4 million minutes. The new CAN Domestic account recorded over 4.4 million minutes, showcasing local cricket’s popularity.

YouTube watch time increased by 277% to more than 2.13 million hours. Instagram views crossed 40 million, engaging fans with highlights, player stories, and live updates.

Nepal’s nomination followed its selection as the Asian regional winner. Other nominees were Namibia (Africa), Bermuda (Americas), and Indonesia (East Asia-Pacific).

Other ICC Awards 

Meanwhile, Cricket Namibia won the ICC Development Initiative of the Year for its Ashburton Kwata Mini-Cricket Programme.

Bhutan Cricket Council Board and Vanuatu Cricket Association jointly received the ICC 100% Cricket Female Cricket Initiative of the Year award. It is the first time two cricket bodies shared the award, said ICC.

Similarly, USA Cricket won the ICC Associate Member Men’s Team Performance of the Year award. Their team reached the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies.

Cricket Scotland earned the ICC Associate Member Women’s Team Performance of the Year prize. 

Persatuan Cricket Indonesia received the ICC Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year for launching “Cricket for Confidence.” Tanzania won the ICC criiio Cricket Festival of the Year with Rexona.