LALITPUR: An inexperienced Nepal will face a huge task of proving themselves by securing a place in the ICC U-19 World Cup when they begin a testing journey of the ACC U-19 Elite Cup in Malaysia from May 3-11.
In a tournament where only the winners are guaranteed a spot in the ICC U-19 World Cup, Nepal are carrying with them a squad where nine players are yet to make debut in any form of age group cricket.
While skipper Bhuwan Karki is the most experienced player in the side, Avinash Karn, Ram Naresh Giri, Sushan Bhari Shrestha and Nischal Pandey are the others with international experience.
With an average squad, coach Jagat Tamatta knew Nepal have a lot to prove. “It is a challenging job both for me and my team as there are lot of players yet to play competitive cricket in the age group,” said Tamatta during a training session at the Pulchowk Engineering grounds today.
But Tamatta was still confident that his untested side will come good in Malaysia. “Our preparations have gone pretty well. We have gone through some rigorous training sessions that have prepared us mentally and physically. I have the confidence that if we play to our potential, we have a team which can guide us to the World Cup,” added the coach, who is in his third assignment with the national team.
Tamatta guided Nepal to a runner-up finish in the 2011 ACC U-19 Elite Cup in Thailand and under him Nepal made a return to the 2012 ICC U-19 World Cup finishing second in the World Qualifier in Ireland. Tamatta also urged his batsmen to back their bowling attack. “We have a good bowling attack and if we put 200 runs on the board, we can easily defend that total,” he said.
Bhuwan, with an experience of six age group international tournaments along with one appearance in the ACC Trophy Elite last year with the senior team, was not ready to call his side immature.
“We can’t deny the fact that nine of our players have not played international tournaments. But they have matured themselves playing in the national tournaments against the likes of our senior team members,” said Bhuwan, who along with Avinash and Ram Naresh had played the 2012 ICC U-19 World Cup in Australia.
Bhuwan was confident that the hard work during the training will bear fruit for Nepal. “We have done very well in the training sessions. There are some classic batsmen who can play the whole 50 overs and bowlers who can do even better,” said the left arm spinner, adding Avinash’s experience is going to play a huge role.
After Bhuwan, Avinash is the most experienced player with five international tournaments, while fellow seamer Ram Naresh and batting all rounder Nischal Pandey have played two each. Sushan has the experience of playing in the 2010 ACC U-16 Elite Cup held in Nepal.
SQUAD: Bhuwan Karki (capt), Amit Shrestha, Nischal Pandey, Rahul Pratap Singh, Hari Shankar Shah, Pawan Shrestha, Bivatsu Thapa, Nirmal Thapa, Prem Tamang, Irshad Ahmed, Sushan Bhari Shrestha, Avinash Karn, Ram Naresh Giri, Yagya Man Kumal. Coach: Jagat Tamatta.
In a tournament where only the winners are guaranteed a spot in the ICC U-19 World Cup, Nepal are carrying with them a squad where nine players are yet to make debut in any form of age group cricket.
While skipper Bhuwan Karki is the most experienced player in the side, Avinash Karn, Ram Naresh Giri, Sushan Bhari Shrestha and Nischal Pandey are the others with international experience.
With an average squad, coach Jagat Tamatta knew Nepal have a lot to prove. “It is a challenging job both for me and my team as there are lot of players yet to play competitive cricket in the age group,” said Tamatta during a training session at the Pulchowk Engineering grounds today.
But Tamatta was still confident that his untested side will come good in Malaysia. “Our preparations have gone pretty well. We have gone through some rigorous training sessions that have prepared us mentally and physically. I have the confidence that if we play to our potential, we have a team which can guide us to the World Cup,” added the coach, who is in his third assignment with the national team.
Tamatta guided Nepal to a runner-up finish in the 2011 ACC U-19 Elite Cup in Thailand and under him Nepal made a return to the 2012 ICC U-19 World Cup finishing second in the World Qualifier in Ireland. Tamatta also urged his batsmen to back their bowling attack. “We have a good bowling attack and if we put 200 runs on the board, we can easily defend that total,” he said.
Bhuwan, with an experience of six age group international tournaments along with one appearance in the ACC Trophy Elite last year with the senior team, was not ready to call his side immature.
“We can’t deny the fact that nine of our players have not played international tournaments. But they have matured themselves playing in the national tournaments against the likes of our senior team members,” said Bhuwan, who along with Avinash and Ram Naresh had played the 2012 ICC U-19 World Cup in Australia.
Bhuwan was confident that the hard work during the training will bear fruit for Nepal. “We have done very well in the training sessions. There are some classic batsmen who can play the whole 50 overs and bowlers who can do even better,” said the left arm spinner, adding Avinash’s experience is going to play a huge role.
After Bhuwan, Avinash is the most experienced player with five international tournaments, while fellow seamer Ram Naresh and batting all rounder Nischal Pandey have played two each. Sushan has the experience of playing in the 2010 ACC U-16 Elite Cup held in Nepal.
SQUAD: Bhuwan Karki (capt), Amit Shrestha, Nischal Pandey, Rahul Pratap Singh, Hari Shankar Shah, Pawan Shrestha, Bivatsu Thapa, Nirmal Thapa, Prem Tamang, Irshad Ahmed, Sushan Bhari Shrestha, Avinash Karn, Ram Naresh Giri, Yagya Man Kumal. Coach: Jagat Tamatta.
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