Phillip Hughes Tribute Match in Nepal to be 63-Over Affair

In a unique gesture, the Cricket Association of Nepal will stage a match in memory of late Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who succumbed to a head injury after being felled by a bouncer in Sydney last year. The 63-over tribute match which will be played at the Tribhuvan University Stadium on April 11.

An Australian team will combine with the Nepal national team in a 31.3-over-a-side game. The number of overs refers to the unbeaten 63 runs Hughes made for Southern Australia against New South Wales before he was hit by a rising delivery during a Sheffield Shield game on November 25, 2014.

"Our cricketers and fans in Nepal have united in this desire to pay their respect and celebrate the spirit of the late Phillip Hughes who played cricket with such innocence and joy," said CAN Chief Executive Officer Bhawana Ghimire. "We expect Tribhuvan University Stadium to be as full as it has ever been for this match and already there is much demand for tickets."

All the proceeds from the match will go to the Mount Everest expedition which is also going to be a part of Nepal's tribute programme. Following the game, one of Hughes' bats and his jersey, brought over from Australia, will be taken to Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.