U-19 WC Preview: The Pressure of Giant Killing
Even when Nepal was preparing for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2008, the word ‘pressure’ was on the air. Answers from coach and captain always reminded that they are looking for at least a win against a Test nation to keep up the morale, and image, of the team.
Can Nepal repeat it again? The associate world knows if it’s going to happen this year, Nepal is more likely to be on the winning side than any other associate nation. The preliminary round will see Nepal meeting Sri Lanka and Australia, so can either one of them be left stunned?
Nepal had played both of them once in the World Cup and lost. In 2000, Nepal met Sri Lanka is the Super League and lost by nine wickets after being bowled out for 89. In 2004, Nepal played Australia in the Plate League and lost by six wickets after scoring 154/9 with current captain Paras Khadka topscoring – 33.
Can we expect something different? How about defeating the home team of the coach who had played an influential role in making of Nepali youngsters? “That will be interesting,†coach Roy Dias chuckled and replied. “That will be really interesting.â€
And, for him probably for his knowledge of his home team, Sri Lanka is more defeatable than Australia, but of course that’s not as easy. Cricket is a funny game. And, there is every chance that Nepal could return without a win but that’s least likely.
The two warm-up matches reflected a few things. Nepal won the toss and batted first on both occasions, something that we are more likely to see. Nepal believes more in ‘winning by bowling’. Batting seemed improved with both times the team crossing 200 (in 25 World Cup matches, only five scores were beyond 200) and staying 50 overs.
Paras showed that he could lead from the front – both with bat and bowl. Gyanendra Malla proved he is an experienced campaigner. Bowling and fielding, usually up to the standard always, seemed lacking the cutting edge but that’s the area, believe me, Nepal will improve in coming matches.
The set is ready. The players are ready, and there look no shortcomings to stop us from expecting yet another killing performance for the youngsters.
Nepal’s Giant Killings
2000, Sri Lanka
- beat Kenya by 14 runs to enter Super League
2002, New Zealand
- beat Pakistan by 30 runs in first round
- beat Bangladesh by 23 runs in the plate semifinal
2004, Bangladesh
- beat South Africa by 1 wicket in first round
2006, Sri Lanka
- beat South Africa by 2 runs in plate semifinal
- beat New Zealand by 1 wicket in plate final
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NEPAL is not a giant killer. We are ourself the giant. If South Africa, New Zealand are giant, than we are even bigger giant.
We are not just there for numbers, everone accepts that. We are there for the title contention. We have been Asian Champion forever. This time we will turn into World Champion and will keep on doing so for ever from now.
BEST OF LUCK
I really don’t consider us to be the Giants. We have accomplished in the past but this is a whole new ball game. We have to focus one game at a time and have the confidence that we can beat anybody. If you think about it, we have lost 3 games so far and won just one. We lost both games we played against the Bangladesh u-19 team and also the one against Zimbabwe. From the game against Zimbabwe and several other games, I feel like our team starts bowling very well but later just let it slip. After getting over 200 runs on the board and with Zimbabwe at 42/3 and a very slow run rate, I figured we would win the match. But our bowling attack could not get through them. Australia bowled out Zimbabwe for 57 runs. Looking at those stats, we need a lot of improvement and luck.
I understand what you are trying to point at. But the thing that I have been trying to advocate from some while is that Nepal should have been seeded higher than mere 11. Atleast higher than SA, NZ and Zim, dont you guys think so. I dont know why ICC who advocates of globalising the game does such act which harass the associates and affiliates.
I know Nepal have lost 3 out of 4 warm up matches. And the win was also against a weaker team ( not much if we follow the funny ICC rating, Bermuda are 12th on the seed). Our guys need to improve all three aspects of cricket to win any match. I do not have any doubt of our guys producing few surpirses of the match. Paras, Amrit, Mahesh, Gyanendra are the potential match winner and others too are not bad.
Although, our player have advantage over others as we have been paying in Malaysia from long time. Surprisingly, our boys havent played at Penang where our league matches will be held. This may be seen as beaurocratic rather than just coincidence, as Nepal have been the last hurdle which Malaysia havent been able to cross to reach the World stage.
Best of Luck
Best of Luck for Nepal.
Every Nepali is waiting for yet another gaint-killing act..
Go Go..
Big hopes of Nepalese Fan just falted away. It was a good dispaly of bowling but batsman cudnt resist the pressure. Just hope and pray to God they beat Australia and have a chance to enter the Super League.