For Roy Dias, the inspirational coach of the Nepali cricket team for the last five years, this year’s U-19 World Cup is going to be a different one. Under him, Nepal has done well, but this year’s performance will be watched by his countrymen and that may have a huge bearing on his future. Talking to the CityPost, he acknowledged that he is under more pressure and is hoping that the players won’t let him down. Excerpts:
What do you hope from this year’s U-19 World Cup?
Like the last two, I would like to come back on a higher note. If we could get into the super league, it would be a great achievement.
Is that possible?
It depends. I am not sure of the other sides. But it’s definitely possible.
What do you think about the Nepali team?
We have a balanced side. As always, worries are on batting. We have to put runs on board to let the bowlers, especially spinners, have their effect. Compared to the previous two World Cups, this side is experienced. But what we are lacking is a player of Shakti Gauchan’s caliber – somebody who can bowl 10 overs for 20 runs.
Batting lineup looks solid. Why are you worried?
Sri Lankan wickets are a bit hard and fast and there is a lot of bounce. We have to cope with that and have to bat well for the first 15 overs.
Probably Nepal would have some advantages playing in the coach’s home country.
Just because I am a Sri Lankan, cricketers can’t take it easy. Hopefully these guys are fit enough to field for 50 overs in hot conditions. But, definitely, playing in my country will help in someway.
Are you feeling pressure because you are now expected to do something in your country?
Everyone is waiting to see how my team performs against top sides and they know Nepal is doing well. In Sri Lanka, everyone is asking me why I am not helping cricket there. This is an opportunity for me to show them what I am doing. A good performance will also do well to my personal future, but now it’s up to the players to perform.
======================================
Kanishka Chaugai, the most successful Nepali batsman at the Under-19 level, is looking forward to two things: keeping up the legacy of good performance in the U-19 World Cup and completing his 1,000 runs in the U-19 level. The opening batsman, who is leading the team, is playing his third and last Youth World Cup.
What are your hopes from the Youth World Cup?
We hope to play good cricket and qualify for the super eight.
Nepal is playing England, Zimbabwe and Ireland in the first round. What have you thought about them?
We want to defeat England. They will struggle in the Asian track and we have good spinners in our side to give them a tough fight. We will be looking forward to taking revenge of 2002 Plate Final defeat against Zimbabwe. Probably there is, now, no difference between them and us. Ireland qualified for the third time from Europe and we are at similar level so we have to play seriously.
How well have the preparations gone?
Very well. We practiced with white balls in Nepal and came to Sri Lanka two weeks earlier for acclimatization and all that is going to help us.
What are the strengths of the team?
We have a totally balanced side with our bowling and fielding being the strongest. Our pacers haven’t had top level experience, so there is a little worry on that point.
How are the rules of super-sub and power-play going to affect Nepal’s playing?
We are now a little used to super-sub because it was applied in ACC U-19 Cup. We haven’t played under power-play and I hope the batsmen won’t be tempted to play extravagant strokes. Let’s see how it works. As a captain, there would be more pressure on me.
Any personal performance you are looking at?
I am looking forward to completing 1,000 runs in the U-19 level but more than that I want the team to perform well.