Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced a busy preparation schedule for the World Cricket League Division 5 Tournament that begins on May 23 in Jersey.
Announcing the final team for the event, Nepal’s only chance to qualify for the 2011 Cricket World Cup, CAN announced seven practice matches before meeting Germany in the opening match of the 12-nation event.
Nepal plays Bangladesh’s Dhaka Club Limited on May 2 before playing three one-day matches against visiting Pakistan Cricket Board Academy team. The matches against PCB Academy are scheduled on May 8, 9 and 11 in Kathmandu.
On the way to Jersey, Nepal will play English county side Sussex’s Academy Team at Gatwick, London and will stop in Guernsey for two friendly matches — one each against Bahamas and Guernsey. According to CAN, the five-day Guernsey tour is managed by International Cricket Council (ICC).
“More practice matches have been scheduled to hone the ability of the players since WCL Div 5 is an important event for Nepal,” a CAN release signed by spokesperson Tarak Mani Dixit said.
Nepal is in Group A alongside USA, Germany, Mozambique, Norway and Vanuatu for WCL Div 5. Group B consists of Afghanistan, Japan, Jersey, Singapore, Bahamas and Botswana.
Nepal plays Germany on May 23, Mozambique on May 24, Norway on May 26, Vanuatu on May 27 and USA on May 28. All semifinals, including the playoff semifinals, will be played on May 30 while the final and matches to decide rankings will be played on May 31.
Binod Das will lead the Nepali team in the event while U-19 captain Paras Khadka will be his deputy. Other members of the team are Paresh Lohani, Shakti Gauchan, Mehboob Alam, Sanjam Regmi, Sarad Vesawkar, Dipendra Chaudhary, Gyanendra Malla, Mahesh Chhetri, Raj Kumar Pradhan, Amrit Bhattarai, Basanta Regmi and Dhirendra Chand.
Nepal WCL Div 5 Preparation
vs Dhaka Club at Kathmandu on May 2
vs PCB Academy at Kathmandu on May 8
vs PCB Academy at Kathmandu on May 9
vs PCB Academy at Kathmandu on May 11
vs Sussex Academy at London on May 16
vs Bahamas at Guernsey on May 19
vs Guernsey at Guernsey on May 21