Nepal, which is focused on the upcoming World T20 Qualifiers and Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, will take on rival associate-nation Afghanistan on Friday in Singapore in its first match of the ACC Emerging Teams Cup, which could be the best exposure for the national side ahead of the two bigger tournaments.
Nepal is to participate in the World T20 Qualifiers to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November and the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers to be held in New Zealand in January, 2014.
Nepali team Coach Pubudu Dassanayake said that his team would try to put up good show in Singapore and try to win matches in the tournament starting from August 17. “We’ll try everything to win matches during the tournament. We’ll try to be at par with Afghanistan in the tournament,” vowed the coach.
Nepal and Afghanistan had clashed five times in the past in the 50-over format. Nepal had defeated Afghanistan in the ACC Trophy Elite2004, which was the first international participation of Afghanistan. Since then, Afghanistan had defeated Nepal in all the four encounters.
Afghanistan, which defeated Nepal in the World Cricket League Division 5 held in Jersey in 2008, to march forward in the international cricket and has already achieved ODI status. It had played World T20 Cups in 2010 and 2012. Meanwhile, it is on the verge of qualifying to the 50-over World Cup from the World Cricket League Championship group.
Nepal, which recently won the World Cricket League Division 3, has also been aiming World Cup qualification.
“We have a good opportunity to beat Afghanistan. We know they are strong side. They are on the verge of qualifying to the World Cup. We are also moving ahead to get the ODI status and qualify to the World Cup. In this scenario, we have to utilize this opportunity,” said Nepali skipper Paras Khadka.
Nepal is slated along side India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the tournament, where Asian Test playing nations are to send their U-23 teams.
Nepal had toured Sri Lanka for 14 days ahead of the ACC Emerging Teams Cup. Nepal had lost four practice matches against the Sri Lanka U-23 and defeated NorthEasternProvince during the tour.
“We had a good training in Sri Lanka though results were not that good. All the players got good exposure. We are prepared for the tournament,” said Khadka.
Earlier, there were reports that Khadka and all-rounder Pradeep Airee had injury worries. However, Khadka claimed that both of them are available for the match against Afghanistan.
“I’m 90 percent fit. I can throw balls while fielding but there is less chance of bowling. However, I will ball if situation demands. Pradeep is also available for tomorrow’s match,” said Khadka to Republica on telephone conversation on Friday. “We’ll decide the playing XI tomorrow morning after pitch inspection,” he added.
Nepal is scheduled to take on India U-23 on Tuesday and Pakistan U-23 on Wednesday.
The top three teams of the ACC Trophy Elite Cup held in October 2012 were given chance to compete in the event. Nepal and the UAE had finished joint winners in the tournament following a tie in the final. Afghanistan had finished third.
Singapore secured berth as the host. The tournament is being organized for the first time by ACC.