Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) scheduled a tour to India for the national squad later this month as a preparation for the ICC World T20 Global Qualifiers.
CAN, instead of four two-day cricket matches as proposed by coach Pubudu Dassanayake, opted for a trip to India during which the national squad will undergo training and play practice matches.
Coach Dassanayake had proposed two-day matches in order to give more exposure to the players.
CAN President Tanka Angbuhang said they postponed the two-day matches for the two to three week tour to India. “Our players had enough practice on the home ground and it was all against similar opponents. Thus, we are taking the players to India,” said Angbuhang.
“We want our players to get acquainted with conditions of other pitches,” he added.
However, Aangbuhang said that CAN is yet to finalize opponents for the practice matches.
Angbuhang also informed that CAN would conduct the two-day matches later in the year.
National captain Paras Khadka said that the India tour, which CAN has announced to conduct in late January, would be fruitful for the team.
“This is a good step taken by CAN for the players before heading for the UAE for the World T20 Qualifiers to be held in March,” said Khadka.
Coach Dassanayake said that he would start a closed camp training within a week before heading for India.
“We will select 25 promising players for the closed camp before the tour. We will also start a camp for the fast bowlers as soon as possible,” said Dassanayake.
“I have selected some fast bowlers and the selectors also have referred some bowlers for the upcoming camp,” he added.
Dassanayake opined that it would be ideal to take 15 to 16 players for the India tour.