Among boys, Nepal won the title 4 times, between 2001 to 2007, and played in ICC U-19 World Cup five times. Come August, Nepal will play in the U-19 World Cup for the sixth time, in Australia. Youth Asia Cup 2001 (late called U-19 ACC championship) was the first ever international title Nepal won, under captaincy of Binod Das.

It was the U-19 team, who started making history among women as well. ACC U-19 championship in 2008 (Thailand) was the first international trophy for Nepali women, in cricket. Two years later, Nepali girls defeated Bhutan to defend the title in Singapore and now Nepal is on a hat-trick of ACC U-19 trophy. If the girls are not able to take the title, Nepal will be without any ACC trophy for the first time in two years.

In past two title wins, Sita Ranamagar, Sarita Magar, Mamata Thapa, Gita Chudal and Trishna Singh were part of the core team, along with captain Nery Thapa. Now these players are not part of the team, due to age barrier. This might add to some pressure to the team. Opening bowler Sonu Khadka will be playing for the third consecutive time. But Coach Nabin Singh says it will not make any difference. He is confident of hat-trick.

“As others have said, this team is better than previous ones. So I see a good possibility of win,” Singh says, “that’s why we have practice matches with the senior players available in Kathmandu. The team is playing well.” He is confident also because his players are generally fit, apart from minor niggles. He feels a lot of allrounders in the team is a ‘plus point’.

Rubina Chhetri, Indu Verma, Shradha Aryal, Arati Bidari were part of the team when Nepal won title in Singapore. Rubina, who took 3 wickets against Bhutan in the final, is leading the team this time around. She is hopeful of the title under her captainship. She says, “If we play according to our potential, this is the best team we have so far. Earlier, the team relied on Nery Thapa’s batting, now we don’t rely on one single player. All bat well, it’s an allround team.”

Nepal is grouped along with China, UAE, Malaysia and Thailand in ‘Group A’, in the championship that will be played in February 3-10. Four years ago, Nepal had defeated Malaysia in first match and the final. Likewise, Nepal had handed defeat to China, by 66 runs, and Thailand, by 83 runs, in the same edition of the tourney.

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) organized first U-19 national women’s championship and formed the national team thereafter. Janakpur (Region 7), which was formed as a separate region only one and half years earlier, became the champion for the first time. Naturally, many players from the team made it to the national team. Anuradha Chaudhary, Saraswati Chaudhary, Mamata Chaudhary, Santoshi Chaudhary and Kavita Gautam, who are likely to form the core of the team are from Janakpur.

Coach of the Janakpur team, Nabin Singh has become the coach of U-19 women’s team. He looks as nervous as he is excited to lead the national team for the first time. But he rejects it, “If the coach is nervous, what will happen to the players?”

He understands that 25 over matches will be challenging for the girls. But he has faith in his team, as he has players like Rubina, Indu, Mamata, Anuradha, Sonu and Kavita in the ranks.

(Ed: The write-up appeared in Nagarik national daily, on 31st January, 2012)

Cricket.com.np Facebook & Twitter

For latest updates and information about cricket in Nepal,
visit out Facebook page (and Like it) and Twitter (and Follow it).

Coach Pubudu Dassanayake has confidence that Nepal could qualify for the T20 World Cup, if everything goes according to the plan. “Despite criticism of our performance at ACC T20, I don’t think we played all that bad,” he said. “If you look at the average score at the TU Ground, we were not far behind.”

After reaching the semi-finals of ACC T20 Cup, Nepal qualified for the T20 World Cup qualifiers, that will be played during March 13-24 in UAE. According to the schedule, Nepal is pitted alnog with Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Canada, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Bermuda and Denmark in the group stage. Other group has Ireland, Scotland, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, Oman, Italy and USA.

Afghanistan, Netherlands and Canada are teams with ODI status. Bermuda played in the 2007 World Cup. Nepal was defeated by PNG in previous two meetings. And this would be the first time Nepal faces Netherlands, Canada, Bermuda and Denmark. If past performances at T20 is viewed, Nepal looks the weakest team in the World Cup Qualiers.

After the draw was made public, former Sri Lankan cricketer Dassanayake is excited. “This is a very good draw. Both groups are similar. There’s nothing to complain.” Dassanayake said. “I like the structure of the tournament. It gives every team equal opportunity. Now we have to take some steps.”

Top 3 teams from both groups will compete for semi-final playoff, where top teams from both groups play in semis. The winner will directly be qualified to play the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. The loser of semi-final will play in the playoff again. Two teams from the tournament go to the World Cup.

Dassanayake, who has taken Canada to the World Cup already, has a plan. “There has to be two-day tournament in January. Following national T20 championship, the selected players should taken to India or Sri Lanka for 7-8 practice matches. After that, if we can go to Dubai a week before the tournament and have some practice matches, we can do something,” He says, “It is a difficult challenge, not impossible. We have to play well.”

This is his plan for next 3 months for Nepali cricket. “If ODI status is a goal, tournament in UAE is Nepal’s test and Nepal has to perform like an ODI team,” he said, reiterating his commitment to change the cricket structure in the country, “In the 3-month plan, I have not only included 15 players, but entire cricket structure of Nepal.”

For that, Dassanayake is in search of a fast bowler. He has procured a ‘speed gun’ through his wife, who came to Nepal on Thursday. “A tearaway fast bowler make a lot of difference. He doesn’t need a lot of experience. With sheer pace, he can take the opening batsmen on backfoot and does not let them dominate.”

It was pace, which accounted for Nepal’s 9-wicket capitulation against Afghanistan, after winning against Hong Kong in a tense final over by a single wicket. Dassanayake takes another meeting with fellow Asian teams in 3 months as an opportunity. “Meeting Afghanistan in Sharjah is an opportunity. Wehave good possibility, because it is a batting wicket. It does not help the bowlers. We have to bowl according to that plan.”

The Nepal coach is impressed with Hong Kong’s performance in Kathmandu. “Hong Kong batting relied a lot on Irfan Ahmed and Munir Dar, but they played like a team. That’s what I am looking for, in Nepali team. Netherlands has Ryan ten Doeschate and Tom Cooper. Doeschate has IPL experience. Both need to be tied down. Bermuda, PNG and Denmark are also good teams.”

Dassanayake is also excited about match against Canada. “I’ve already received some emails from Canada. I am also waiting for the game.” He has already captained Canada. “If we compare player to player, Nepal is ahead. But they are Division 1 team, and get money from ICC. Since they are ODI team, they play a lot, also in Carribean domestic circuit. That ways, we need to catch up with them.”

[The write-up originally appeared in Nagarik (Nepali) national Daily on 23rd December, 2011]

Cricket.com.np Facebook & Twitter

For latest updates and information about cricket in Nepal,
visit out Facebook page (and Like it) and Twitter (and Follow it).

His last half-century was against Norway in May 26, 2008 during the World Cricket League Division 5 in Jersey.

His best score in Twenty20 cricket was 45 scored against Qatar in 2007 in Kuwait. Apart from that his knock against Saudi Arabia also brought a galore of records for the national team in Twenty20 cricket. Here are some:

Mehboob Alam with his beloved wife Sony after winning man of the match trophy against Saudi Arabia. While asked about his performance, he privately told the photojournalist that he could manage the big performance as his wife was among the spectators; and handed over the trophy to her. Photo by Bikash Karki/PhotoEverest.com

• Mehboob Alam’s 88 against Saudi Arabia is the first half-century scored by a Nepali player in international Twenty20 cricket. Earlier, Dipendra Chaudhary had scored 49 against Qatar in 2007 and against Singapore in 2009.
• Alam’s innings included six sixes which is the highest sixes scored by a Nepali players in an innings. Earlier best was two sixes in an innings. Three Nepali players, Gyanendra Malla (against Afghanistan in 2007), Alam (Against Oman in 2007) and Binod Das (against Oman in 2009) had that record.
• Alam partnered Anil Mandal for 98 runs which is the highest partnership in Twenty20, and also the best second wicket partnership in the tournament. Earlier, Paras Khadka and Malla had shared 94 runs for fourth wicket against Bahrain in 2009.
• Nepal’s 183 for 5 is the highest scored for the country in T20. Nepal’s earlier record was 159 scored chasing Bahrain’s total in 2009.

Cricket.com.np Facebook & Twitter

For latest updates and information about cricket in Nepal,
visit out Facebook page (and Like it) and Twitter (and Follow it).

Saudi Arabia is the lowest profile team among the 10 participants as they arrived in Kathmandu without their chief coach and a coach. Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Development Officer Ikbal Sikander took the charge of Saudi Arabia for this tournament recently and said that none of the team could be taken lightly in the T-20 format of the cricket.

“Any team taken as underdog has to lose nothing and it has no pressure. Pressure always comes to favorites,” said Sikander, who was a member of the World Cup winning Pakistan team. “Prediction often fails in T20 format. One over could be enough to change the course of the game anytime,” he added.

As Afghanistan has already qualified to the ICC World T20, with a One-Day status, semifinalists of the ACC T20 will have maximum chance of qualification to the ICC event.

UAE is also a tough contender, having defeated Afghanistan in Inter Continental Four-Day Tournament two months ago and pulled off victory against the same opponent in two ODIs. The UAE is slated in the group B of the tournament alongside Nepal.

However, the UAE coach Kabir Khan targets entering semifinal and securing qualification only. “I consider this tournament tougher than ICC World T20 Qualifiers. Playing in Nepal is always difficult. The slow wickets here help spinners more and it will be a challenge for our team, which had played on good wickets earlier,” said Khan, who was Afghanistan coach once. “Thus, we are targeting semifinal and qualification only, for now,” he added.

“You don’t get time to correct mistakes in T20. One mistake, you are gone. If you play 4-5 good shots, you can change the course of the game,” said Khan.

He said that UAE has picked players who can adapt to Nepali environment and T20 style, instead of selecting them on the basis of their past performance. “We have brought cricketers, who know T20 format well, selecting them from around 200 clubs,” claimed Khan.

If Khan is to be believed, Nepal – despite not-so-good performance in T20 format – is a tough opponent. “Nepalis a very good team within ACC and they will have home environment and crowd advantage this time,” said Khan.

Nepal, who could not cross group stage in the first two editions of the tournament, is expecting semifinal berth and qualification to the ICC World T20 Qualifiers.

Nepal coach Pubudu Dassanayake said that his team has found the rhythm in every department of the game. “We are waiting for the first match against Hong Kong,” said Dassanayake, who knows less about Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, who recently played practice matches against Sri Lanka U-23 and Board XI, is set to give tough fight to the host team on Saturday.

As Dassanayake is still not sure about the pitch behavior, he is yet to decide the XI for the first match. “I’ve already picked 12 players but I’ll decide the playing set in the last moment after the pitch inspection on Saturday morning,” said Dassanayake. “If dew remains on the pitch, we’ll go with three pacers otherwise we’ll add spinner in the team,” he added.

Former coach of Nepal and the current coach of Oman, Roy Dias, said that Oman has handed him responsibility, because of his knowledge about Nepal’s environment. “I was a coach here for almost a decade. Probably,Omansigned me as I understandNepal’s environment well,” said Dias to ICC website.

Dias also has set his target to reach semifinal and to qualify for the ICC World T20 Qualifiers.

Cricket.com.np Facebook & Twitter

For latest updates and information about cricket in Nepal,
visit out Facebook page (and Like it) and Twitter (and Follow it).

Khakurel was not  there in the 22-member squad for the ACC T20 initially. But not only he got a berth in 14-member squad, but is also likely to be an important player for the team, playing at home. It is almost sure that Khakurel will open the innings alongside Anil Mandal.

However, last hour entry in the team is not a new thing for Khakurel. He was not in the first 33-member team called in for the 11^th South Asian Games held in Bangladesh last year. Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) had added two players in the closed camp by then and Khakurel had made a cut through into the last 14. He was showed his importance for the squad asNepal crossed the group stage, at the tournament.

When Khakurel was asked about the two incidents, he credited luck behind it. “Probably, this is my luck. Every time, I’m going through the same incidents. I had no hope this time also as I was not in the 22-member squad,” said Khakurel.

Khakurel was called in the closed camp for training as Mehboob Alam and Bhuwan Karki sustained injuries ahead of Nepal U-25 team’s participation in the SAARC T20 held in theMaldiveslast month.

Mahesh Chhetri, the regular wicketkeeper-batsman of the team, could not impress new coach Pubudu Dassanayake by his batting inMaldives, and Khakurel got a chance to prove himself.

Khakurel, himself, expressed his disbelief on his inclusion. “At first I was surprised to hear my name, but I’m proud to be in it (national team),” said Khakurel. “I dreamt of being in the national team and it is fulfilled now. However, I know that I’m in as long as I perform,” said Khakurel.

Following his impressive performance in the South Asian Games, Khakurel was called in the closed camp for the ICC World Cricket League Division-5 but he could not secure a seat in the last 14. Nepali batsmen struggled to score runs against theUSbowlers in the Division-5, but Khakurel had scored 53runs off 34 balls in a warm-up match against theUSteam. TheUScoach and his team were surprised to know Khakurel was not in the national squad. “After the match, they told me that I should not wait longer to be in the national team,” Khakurel recalled the incident.

Khakurel claimed that he is aware of the national duty. People believe that Khakurel is in the team because of his batting skill. “I’m doing well behind the wicket and batting is another important responsibility for me,” said Khakurel. His attacking style could give a positive start for his team.

Khakurel is considered as good learner. “I’m going through intense training session and coach is teaching me very important techniques in wicketkeeping and batting,” said Khakurel after attending a 40-minute long training session for wicketkeeping bySri Lanka’s former wicketkeeper Dassanayake.

Looking back, Khakurel was unable to justify his role within the team after his impressive performance in the South Asian Games held inDhaka. He was average during the ACC U-19 Elite Cup held inThailandand ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifiers held inIreland. His 54-run innings againstAfghanistaninIrelandwas his best during that period.

The upcoming tournament could be an important one for Khakurel to prove his mettle. “I’m little nervous about the tournament on the home soil but I’m equally pumped up to do better,” said Khakurel.

Cricket.com.np Facebook & Twitter

For latest updates and information about cricket in Nepal,
visit out Facebook page (and Like it) and Twitter (and Follow it).

In the ACC T20 match played at Sheikh Jayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Nepal could have avoided defeat only through that six off last ball. Binod lofted it atop cover boundary to tie the match. Nepal eventually won it in bowl-out.

Interestingly, this was the first international match Binod was playing. Had it not been for that six, Nepal would have lost the match. Mind you, Kuwait is considered comparatively weaker team than Nepal. Nepal tasted its first defeat against Malaysia and Oman in that very tournament.

In the youngest format of cricket, that the associate countries – especially Nepal – have not become used to, we’ve seen our team winning 7 out of 13 matches so far. Those wins include score of 129 and 121 while batting first against Maldives (Asian Games) and Malaysia (in 2007). On an average, Nepal has scored 113 runs in T20 matches, with the highest being 159 against Bahrain. In the 2009 edition of ACC T20, Bahrain was defeated in all the 5 matches it played.

Interestingly enough, the six from Binod Bhandari was the first ever by a Nepali batsman in that match. Altogether Nepali batsmen have been able to score 14 sixes so far. Gyanendra Malla leads the way with 4 sixes, while Mehboob Aalam and Binod Das have 3 each to their name. None of the Nepali batsmen have completed a half-century in this format so far. Dipendra Chaudhary’s score of 49 (Vs Qatar in 2007 and Vs Singapore 2009) is the highest score so far.

Problems in playing style

One of the reasons for Nepal not doing well in T20 is batsmen not adapting to the style of quicker format. Nepal played all its previous T20 matches under Roy Dias. He was a coach in the classical sense, telling batsman to play straight. Many say, batsmen could not play their natural game due to such instructions. But Dias is no more with Nepali team. He would be coming to Nepal in ACC T20 as the coach of Oman.

Nepali captain Paras Khadka says results could be one way of evaluating coach, but it depends more on the style of the players.

“Batsmen are not horses, who would do exactly what they are told. They need to have their style. T20 is an opportunity and we should get hold of that,” says Paras, “T20 has to be played differently, it is different from 50-over game. Out main problem are the dot balls. Normally, we give away 50-60 dot balls. If we were to hit a six every 10 dot balls, we’d have 30-40 runs more and we’d have a strong score.”

Nepali coach Pubudu Dassanayake says Nepal will change its playing style by scoring singles and twos off such ‘dot’ balls. “All Nepali players play in the same style. First I have been able to change their mental aspect. Second, there is problem with Nepali wickets. They support bowlers and not batsmen. If you bat first and score 140, you’re safe.”

Regarding Nepal’s weak performance, he says, “In the nets, they play all the shots easily. But they struggle on the pitch. Paras, Gyanendra, Prithu (Baskota), Pradeep (Airee) have changed their style. Some are trying to adapt to T20 format.”

Dassanayake opines that the players can’t play if they’re in two minds in this format and they need to play openly to succeed. “We will play in T20 style. We have to improve in some areas, and we’ve worked hard in those,” Confident Dassanayake says, “Our game would be balanced before ACC T20.”

Getting used to new style

Last year, Nepali team was practicing in strategic scenario training, before World Cricket League Division 5. Gyanendra was out attempting a reverse sweep, something Sri Lankan batsman Tilakratne Dilshan is adept at. ACC Development Officer Rumesh Ratnayake asked Gyanendra, “How much had you practiced for this shot?” Gyanendra replied that he had attempted it a few times. Ratnayake replied, “Dilshan practiced this shot 2-3 hours daily. Play this shot if you have full confidence, but before that take permission from your coach.” Before Gyanendra could reply, then Coach Dias said, “No permission.”

In the recently concluded SAARC U-25 T20 invitational tournament, Gyanendra scored 1 of his 9 sixes through reverse sweep, in Nepal’s win over Karnataka Institute. Nepal chased down 222 runs as captain Paras scored a fifty along with Gyanendra. “That six changed the course of the match,” says Dassanayake, “Binod Bhandari also plays reverse sweep and ‘scoop’ very well.”

Playing against good bowling in Maldives, he found Nepali batsmen ‘weak’. Players say, Dassanayake switched batting right from the first day, knowing Nepal’s weakness in T20. From the first day onwards, he has made them practice shots like reverse sweep, paddle sweep and scoop.

After unsuccessful ACC T20, in 2009, Dias had said, “Nepal will take some time to get used to T20.” Dassanayake, before coming to Nepal, had talked to Roy Dias about Nepali cricket. That may be the reason he said his objective was to take Nepal to semi-finals of ACC T20, when he landed here eight weeks ago. But the scene has changed now. Now his aim is to make Nepal lift the ACC T20 trophy.

Cricket.com.np Facebook & Twitter

For latest updates and information about cricket in Nepal,
visit out Facebook page (and Like it) and Twitter (and Follow it).

The draw of ACC T20 Cup 2011 added yet another coincidence. Nepal is playing Malaysia in the first match for the third time in a row at the ACC T20 Cup. Nepal’s group also consists of UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bhutan.

First match of any event is important for any team – more so because Nepal, Malaysia and UAE are among the favorite to proceed to semifinals.

“The match against Malaysia is special,” former captain Binod Das says. “Malaysia will also be under pressure because they are playing Nepal.”

Binod is confident that Nepal will step towards semifinal beating Malaysia. “We have prepared well,” he said. The biggest thing favoring Nepal is the home ground advantage as the match will be played at the TU Cricket Ground on December 3.

Shakti Gauchan considered the draw relatively easy for Nepal. “On the cursory look, the group is relatively easy however in Twenty20, it would be fatal to consider any team weak,” he said.

Binod also added that Nepal needs to reach the semifinal becoming group winner. Defending champions Afghanistan, the ODI nation for 2009-2012, is strong favorite and it would be best for Nepal to avoid them in semifinal.

The Group A consists of Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Oman, Kuwait and Maldives.

“Majority of our players are in Maldives competing in the SAARC T20 Cup where Nepal is placed against strong teams, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Karnataka Institute of Cricket of India. They got good opportunity to practice,” Binod said.

Apart from Binod, Shakti, Mehboob Alam, Sanjam Regmi and Basant Regmi, the team players are in Maldives for the tournament.

Binod was axed as captain two years ago on the eve of ACC T20 Cup. The pacer proved his quality becoming Nepal’s highest wicket taker with 10 wickets. However, after that Binod has largely failed to put his marks for the national team.

Another crucial match for Nepal will be against UAE, a strong team. However, Binod said both teams have seen so many changes and haven’t met recently. “We haven’t played recently, so there are changes, and don’t know each other very well,” he said.

The ACC T20 Cup will be played in Nepal from Dec 3 to 10. All Nepal’s league matches are at the TU Cricket Ground.

Cricket.com.np Facebook & Twitter

For latest updates and information about cricket in Nepal,
visit out Facebook page (and Like it) and Twitter (and Follow it).

A technical committee led by CAN Vice President Shree Harsha Koirala shortlisted Dasanayake, another Sri Lankan cricketer Charith Senanayake and England cricketer of Pakistini origin Aftab Habib for the job.

The technical committee also includes CAN General Secretary Tanka Paneru, Secretary Tarak Mani Dixit and Members Arun Satyal and Uttam Karmacharya.

Dasanayake, 41, had played 11 Test and 16 One-Day-International matches for Sri Lanka and also played 108 First Class matches. He was coach for Canadian national team for the last four years. Dasanayake, former wicketkeeper batsman, was successful coach for Canada as the team qualified for the World Cup 2011 under his guidance. However, he has not renewed his contract with Canada.

According to a CAN source, Dasanayake had sought $ 10000 per month to take the charge of Nepali cricket but later settled for $ 5000 per month. “We´d discussed different names in the technical committee meeting and I´d suggested that the coach above fourty could be outdated and unaware of latest technology,” said General Secretary Paneru.

As former Sri Lankan cricketer Roy Luke Dias returned Colombo last December after completing his 9-year long tenure in Nepal, CAN was looking for a foreign coach.

Dasanayake will be the second Sri Lankan coach for Nepal if CAN appoints him. Dias has recently taken the charge of Oman.

Dasanayake had debuted against South Africa in 1993 in Test and scored 196 runs in 17 innings with an average of 13.06. He had scored 85 runs in 16 ODI-s for Sri Lanka. In 2001, Dasanayake moved to Canada and played for the Canadian team. He was captain of Canada in 2005. He was appointed provisional coach in 2007 and later given the full charge of the Canadian team. He took Canada into the World Cup and gained popularity as a coach.

Senanayake, 49, played three Test and seven ODI matches. He had made his Test debut in 1991 against New Zealand. Senanayake was team manager of Sri Lankan cricket team in 2008.

Habib is a familiar name for Nepali cricketers. He had played two Test matches against New Zealand and he coached Hong Kong in 2007. Under his guidance Hong Kong won ACC Trophy Elite Cup held in Malaysia in 2008 and ACC U-19 Elite Cup held in Kuwait 2009.

Nepal had defeated Hong Kong by 44 runs in the first match of the ACC Trophy, but Habib guided Hong Kong to win the trophy. Habib had visited Nepal during the ACC U-17 Elite Cup in 2008. He was here to watch Hong Kong team during the tournament.

Photo Courtesy: CricInfo / Player Profile of Dasanayake at CricInfo

Cricket.com.np Facebook & Twitter

For latest updates and information about cricket in Nepal,
visit out Facebook page (and Like it) and Twitter (and Follow it).

Not only the host of the event Ireland but most of the participating nations have naturally taken Nepal as a strong team for the past performance in the U-19 World Cups.

For Nepali team, who hope to rejoin the U-19 World Cup finishing top six in the 10-team event, the problems is the weather and the opening match against the regional competitor, Afghanistan.

“We have best available players for the team,” coach Jagat Tamata said. “Our first aim is to qualify for the World Cup.”

Nepal qualified to compete in the U-19 World Cups five times between 2000 to 2008 before missing it last time.

“Mentally the players are ready, and they are enthusiastic,” Tamata said during a training session in Kathmandu. Nepal’s training was marred by continuous rainfall.

Nepal, Afhganistan, Ireland, Scotland, Kenya, Namibia, USA, Canada, Papua New Guinea and Vanatu are competing in the qualifiers, possibly the last global qualifiers as International Cricket Council (ICC) already indicating that from next edition, teams will qualify directly from regional qualifiers.

Nepal missed the global qualifiers last time losing to Afghanistan in semifinals of 2009 ACC U-19 Elite Cup in Kuwait. In February this year, Nepal ensured a spot reaching the final of the ACC U-19 Elite Cup in Thailand before losing to Afghanistan in the title-clash.

Nepal is playing Afghanistan in the first match in Ireland but coach Tamata is confident that the team has capacity to beat them. “During the final of the ACC U-19, the two teams were equal, we lost only because poor field setting,” he said.

In the opening match of the ACC U-19, Nepal beat Afghanistan in the league round.

Ireland’s cold temperature is a headache for Nepal which is using early morning time for physical exercise. “Cold weather is a challenge as spinnes will have difficulties gripping the ball,” he said.

Nepali team consists of seven batsmen, two all-rounders and five bowlers. “Spin is our main weapon, and we have two left-arm spinner and a right-hand spinner,” he added.

Rahul BK and Bhuwan Karki are the left-arm spinners while captain Prithu Baskota who missed the ACC U-19 final due to injury, is utility spinner. Rahul, also a regular of national team, was chosen the best bowler in ACC event for his 21-wicket haul.

Nepal is scheduled to play Namibia in a practice match on July 26.

Nepal Team: Prithu Baskota (captain), Pradeep Airee, Naresh B. Budhaayer, Bhuban Karki, Krishna Karki, Avinash Karn, Subash P. Khakurel, Nischal Pandey, Shubhendu Pandey, Rajesh Pulami Magar, Sagar Pun, Fajlur Rahman, Rupesh K. Shrivastav, Rahul K. Vishwakarma

Cricket.com.np Facebook & Twitter

For latest updates and information about cricket in Nepal,
visit out Facebook page (and Like it) and Twitter (and Follow it).

Nepal qualified for the global qualifier for the ICC U-19 World Cup reaching the final of the ACC U-19 Elite Cup with a six-wicket victory over Qatar in the semifinal at AIT Ground.

Nepal will meet Afghanistan in the final at TCG on February 10 in a bid to win the title for the fifth time. Two years ago, Afghanistan had beaten Nepal in semifinal ending the 10-year dominance at the tournament.

At AIT, Nepal won the toss and invited Qatar to bat first. After a good start, Qatar flattered against Nepali spinners and were all out for 113 in 47 overs. Nepal chased down the target in 20 overs losing four wickets.

In five overs before lunch, Nepal lost openers Subash Khakurel and Faljur Khan. Subash was trapped leg-before by Qatari captain Tamoor Sajjad who chose to open bowling with spinners.

Sajjad caught Faljur off Mohd Khan. Faljur scored 19 off 12 balls. From 24/2, Sagar Pun and Naresh Budayer denied further damage adding 82 runs for third wicket.

Sagar was out 8 runs short from target and Rajesh Pulami was bowled round-the-leg the first ball he faced. Pradeep Airee hit two sixes to finish things up in 20 overs.

Earlier, man of the match Rahul BK took 4/20 to wreck the Qatar innings that had got a good start. Bhuwan Karki supported well with two wickets – taken in two balls and including the first-ball wicket of Sajjad. He just gave away 12 runs in 10 overs to keep them pinned.

Two run-outs at the end concluded the innings at 113 leaving Omar Istiaq unbeaten on 22. Saad Khan topscored for Qatar with 26.

Afghanistan beat Hong Kong by 7 wickets in the other semifinal. Defending champions Hong Kong has scored 133 runs.

Brief scorecard: Qatar 113 all out in 47 overs (Saad Khan 26, Omar Istiaq 22*, Rahul BK 4/20, Bhuwan Karki 2/12) lost to Nepal 119 for 4 in 20 overs (Naresh Budayer 41*, Sagar Pun 36, Faljur Khan 19, Pradeep Airee 12*) by 6 wickets.

Prithu Baskota injured

Nepali captain Prithu Baskota tore his ligament while fielding against Qatar and had to be rested for three weeks. He will not be able to play the final and vice-captain Rahul BK will lead the team in the final.

Prithu was stretched out of the ground and taken to hospital where it was revealed that he only had the ligament tearing and no fracture. He returned to venue at lunch.

Cricket.com.np Facebook & Twitter

For latest updates and information about cricket in Nepal,
visit out Facebook page (and Like it) and Twitter (and Follow it).