Nepal’s longest-serving cricketer, Shakti Gauchan, retired from all cricket at the age of 34 on after playing his last match in the Everest Premier League on Saturday, 15 December.
The left-arm spinner had already retired from international cricket in July this year and the domestic Twenty20 match in the EPL, where he turned out for Pokhara Rhinos, was his last game of competitive cricket.
Gauchan, who made his debut in 2002, called time on an 18-year-long career during which he played one one-day international, nine T20Is, four first-class games, 24 List A matches and 31 T20s.
Quite fittingly, Gauchan was given a lap of honour around the Tribhuvan University grounds, the venue of his last match, and the cricketer could barely hold back his emotions.
Congratulation Shakti Dai on such a fantastic career & thank you for all those beautiful memories. It was great to play alongside with you for Nepal. You are true inspiration on and off the field. Wishing you great life ahead.#Unbeaten #Shakti_The_Power #ThankYouShakti Dada !! pic.twitter.com/udnN6HVZ5J
— Sandeep Lamichhane (@IamSandeep25) December 15, 2018
“I think this guard of honour and love from the spectators is the result of my honest contribution to the country and loyalty to the game,” an emotionally spent Gauchan said after the game.
“The emotions in the ground (while receiving the guard of honour and cheers from the crowd) was something which I cannot express in words. This moment is unforgettable for any player and it will etch in my memories for lifetime.”
Guachan has eight wickets from two T20Is, and 32 overall in all T20s in addition to 18 List-A wickets.
@KevinOBrien113 ❤?? man of the match at @eplt20official #eplt20 pic.twitter.com/hIQ02ubho1
— Aayushman Regmie (@AayushmanRegmie) December 14, 2018
“When the national anthem was played while I was playing for Nepal for the first time during the 2001 ACC U-17 Youth Asia Cup in Bangladesh, my inner soul had said you are born for Nepal and have to do something for your country,” Gauchan recalled.
“Cricket is the only thing that will direct you. 18 years down the line, the love that I have earned from cricket is something that I am very proud of.”
