When you think of Switzerland, you probably imagine the country's snow-capped mountains and breath-taking scenery.
But, we're not talking about the country's natural beauty; instead, it's the emerging sport of cricket in this unlikely country that is attracting peoples' interest.
The majority of players are of South Asian origin
The Swiss national team consists of players from countries such including India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - where cricket is a national sport.
Switzerland has one of the highest percentages of foreign residents in the world. According to federal , there are just under 13,000 Indians, 27,000 Sri Lankans, and just over 3,000 Pakistanis in the country in 2014.
Switzerland's Cricket Team's all-rounder, Ashwin Vinod told SBS Gujarati, "We have a lot of players of Asian origin, especially India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan and few from Australia, England and South Africa as well."
"They all make efforts together to promote the game in the hilly country by trying to involve local people."
The Swiss cricket team. Source: Arjun Vinod
As well as representing the Swiss Cricket Team, five players are studying at various universities as well.
Difficulties in developing the game
Much of Switzerland is covered in snow for a large proportion of the year, which makes it difficult to play cricket, but the players are passionate about the 'gentleman’s' game.
“As cricket has only recently been recognized as a sport in the country, we do not have the proper playing grounds with for instance an artificial pitch,” said Ashwin.
“Some of the grounds are too small to play the game, and the outfield makes playing conditions even worse, but we love the game and that inspires us to build a strong team for the nation which can make a mark in world cricket."
Arjun Vinod, another promising player with the Swiss cricket team said, "Cricket is only be played here from April to September as we have winter and snowfall rest of the year, but we try to engage local community during playing days so that it becomes popular among them".
Switzerland cricket team in action. Source: Ashwin Vinod
Trying to involve local government
Arjun said he is confident about getting support from local government, “We are spreading awareness about the game and trying to get the local government involved in cricket and hoping to get fund from the authorities to build a stadium and other facilities”.
Victory for Switzerland
Despite facing these logistical difficulties, the team recently won the Central European One-Day Series, which included one team from Luxembourg and two teams from the Czech Republic.
Player of Switzerland cricket team playing a shot in one of their matches. Source: Ashwin Vinod
Bright future ahead
Switzerland is not currently an affiliated member of the ICC, but Ashwin says he's hopeful: "The participation of more players and teams will help the game grow in Switzerland.
If we get recognized by ICC, it will help to develop the sport even more," he says.
Former players played cricket in Switzerland
In order to increase the popularity of the sport in Europe, former international cricket greats (including Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif, Joginder Sharma, Zaheer Khan of India, Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds of Australia, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan) recently played a T20 match in the Swiss Alps resort town of St Moritz in below zero conditions.
The game was played on a frozen, snow-covered lake and the artificial turf pitch had a red ball.
