Nepal will play Hong Kong in the first match when ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers begin on Tuesday in UAE. In the ACC Twenty20, which served as the qualifiers for this tournament, Nepal and Hong Kong met in the first match, where Nepal won by a wicket.
This is the only match that can serve Nepal as an inspiration, if we analyse past performances in T20. According to the rankings, Nepal is the weakest team of the qualifiers. Most think, Nepal will be the whipping boys. However Captain Paras Khadka feels that everything is possible in T20 format and sees Nepali qualification, if his team is able to reach the second round.
Playing with Hong Kong in the first match has been beneficial to Nepal in the past. If there is continuity this time around, Nepal will have golden start to in World Twenty20 qualifiers. Nepal had defeated Hong Kong by 44 runs, in the first match of ACC Trophy 2008. Two years later, Nepal defeated Hong Kong again in the first match by 110 runs, in the same tournament.
Nepal entered the qualifiers after entering the semi finals of ACC Twenty20, in December last year. This is the biggest tournament for the team where it will play Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Bermuda and Denmark. Group B consists of Ireland, Scotland, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, Oman, Italy and USA.
Afghanistan, Netherlands and Canada are ODI nations. Bermuda has played World Cup in 2007. Nepal has lost twice to Papua New Guinea in past two matches. This will be the first test against Netherlands, Canada, Bermuda and Denmark. Afghanistan had thrashed Nepal by nine wickets in the semi-final of ACC Twently20 Cup.
3-3 teams from both the groups will play for semi-final play-off, and the top team from either group will play in the semi-final. The winner of that semi-final will qualify for the World Twenty20 to be played in Sri Lanka in September.The losing semi-finalist will play in the play-off again. Two teams will qualify for the World Twenty20.
Before leaving for UAE, captain Paras Khadka said, “We want to play World Cup, but (we) should not have big targets right away. First target is to reach second round. After that, anything can happen. There are 2-3 opportunities for qualification after reaching the second round. Everybody has a chance in Twenty20. Even a weak team can defeat a good side. We are average side.” He said that he did not believe in rankings and the team will focus on the game.
In past two months of preparation, Nepali team played 9 practice matches in Mumbai. Right after the return, they played in the Indian Ambassador’s Cup in Kathmandu and 6th National Games in Dhangadhi, for their respective regions. Right before leaving for UAE, the squad went to Indian capital New Delhi and played 3 practice matches.
Coach Pubudu Dassanayake, who has already taken Canada to 50-over World Cup, said that the matches have helped in having real match practice for the players. “The team is upbeat going to UAE. We had a few good games and the boys got a feel of match situation.”
Shakti Gauchan and Paresh Lohani are making a comeback in the national team through this tournament. Shakti wasn’t kept in the team for last two international Twenty20 tournaments. He was removed from the team for the first time in Guanzhou Asiad in 2010. A few eyebrows were raised when he wasn’t kept in the side in December, for ACC Twenty20. Paresh Lohani had withdrawn his name from the team right before World Cricket League Division 5 in 2010, citing personal reasons.
Paresh is most likely to be certainty as an opener, with either Anil Mandal or Pradip Airee giving him company at the top of batting order. Anil looks to have edge for the spot as he scored a century in Mumbai trip and played well in New Delhi practice matches. Wicketkeeping job will be handled by Pradip Airee or vice captain Gyanendra Malla. Both are makeshift keepers.
Fast bowlers Krishna Karki and Chandra Saud have been selected in the team for the first time. One of these could bowl along with Amrit Bhattarai in the matches. Against Hong Kong, one of these two is certain to make a debut.
Note: The images used in the story is provided by ICC