Tim Brooks interviewed former Nepali captain Binod Das for his blog Cricket Atlas. It’s a fourth in the series of Big Questions interviews, focusing on leading associate players in period 2000-2010. Das, once recognised as the best seam bowler outside the Test arena, offers his insights into development issues, the primacy of Test cricket, the role of the ICC and Nepal’s lost opportunity of playing in India.
What have been the biggest changes in the game for associate players since you started your career?
The overall standards has gone up. Early in my career the ACC trophies or the associate tournaments were not that competitive but now every team has improved its standard.
How significant has the introduction of professional / semi-professional contracts been in bridging the gap between the leading associates and test nations?
Unfortunately we still haven’t got a contract system in Nepal in spite of doing so well at associate level but I do believe that a contract system is essential to bridge the gap between associate and elite players. To play like a professional you need to be treated like one.
Nepal played in the inaugural season of the Intercontinental Cup. What difference would it have made to the development of cricket in Nepal had they stayed in that competition?
It would have definitely benefited the players in terms of improving their skills and talent. I don’t know why we were deprived of playing that tournament after doing so well. We were able to beat UAE, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore as well but for no real reason we lost our place in the tournament. I think this does not go well with ICC’s slogan of spreading the game and “GLOBALISATION”.
Do you think the winners of the Intercontinental Cup should get an opportunity to play a test match against the lowest ranked test nation? Is a two division test championship a good idea?
I’m sure that it would be a good way to promote test cricket because you cant have just 10 test playing nation for ever and to bring in new teams they must give associates as much exposure or even more exposure than test teams to prepare them for bigger stage. I believe the two division test championship is certainly a move in the right direction.
How important is the T20 format in spreading the game and how can associates best capitalise on this?
Since It is the shortest and most popular format T20 is very important in spreading the game all over the world. It does not require too much technical expertise so even a less capable players can compete against the better ones. In this way it gives associate players an opportunity to showcase our talent against the best the business. It is the best bet for associate nations to upset the test playing nations.
Should leading associates, and leading associate players, focus on T20 for the greatest opportunity to be competitive or should the ultimate aim remain promotion to test cricket?
I believe that if you are a good player you can play any format of the game. T20 is great fun but we must not forget that Test cricket tis the ultimate challenge and honour as a player. People might praise Suresh Raina for his heroics as a T20 player but he will never gain the respect that Tendulkar or Ponting have got until unless he plays well in tests. So its the choice that we need to make. Money or Fame? For me, a good test player can play well in T20’s but even the best T20 specialist will struggle in test cricket. So players should aim to play test cricket and this will bring success in T20.
Is Test Cricket a realistic ambition for associate nations?
I would like to believe so because if it is not there wont be any more test playing nations and I don’t think this is acceptable for cricket. So It is obvious that these associate member countries should become test playing nation sooner or later but for that to happen soon associate nation boards and players need to put in a special effort. Funding is a big factor that can help.
Nepal have an excellent record at Under 19 level. Are there any reasons why this has not been reflected in such success for the full national team?
There are many reasons including lack of a professional or semi professional structure, players’ migration for higher studies, Ex-pats playing for other countries at a higher level and lack of domestic cricket. These have all contributed to the slump in performance at senior level.
Nepal have a proud record of developing home-grown local players. Some other teams rely heavily on ex-pat players qualifying through residency or a passport. Should the ICC do more to make teams more representative?
I think the ICC and ACC have recognised this issue because only development of local players will help improve cricket in a substantial way. You cant depend on Ex-pats for a long period of time as they will not be there for ever. It is your native players that will carry you forward. So yes I do believe that a lot more work needs to be done to achieve this.
Should Nepal play in Indian domestic competitions like Namibia do in South Africa?
Absolutely. In fact it should have happened a long time ago. Had we started playing in India in 2002 or 2004, I’m sure we would have qualified for a world cup. If the ICC and ACC can help facilitate this soon, you can expect Nepal to be close to world cup participation. And I believe it will be a great help for Nepal cricket. Our cricket association needs to take the initiative and try to get us into the Indian domestic league.
ICC figures show a huge increase in player participation over the last decade. In your experience what are the most effective ways of spreading cricket to new people/communities?
For a new community or country to take up cricket they need to be provided with basic playing facilities and assistance needs to be given for their continuous development. The ICC have a huge role to play. In my view the ICC should also recruit a local administrator in all countries who would look after the local development and functioning of the board. This would be similar to the regional development manager but for each country. They would report to the ICC about continuous development.
At times, I feel associate boards are not run properly and a qualified development manager would help them function better. The ICC should also work on customising cricket as to the needs of different countries e.g. Night cricket for middle east countries and shorter formats for American countries.
What role do test nations have in raising standards and offering support to associate and affiliate nations in their region?
Their biggest contribution would be to let neighbouring associate countries play in their domestic competition. They could also help improve their domestic infrastructure and playing facilities.
Should the ICC target lucrative markets such as USA or China or give every member an equal opportunity to progress?
I feel all member countries should get an equal opportunity but the US and China markets will provide extra funds that can be used to promote cricket in other lesser developed countries. There is no harm in targeting lucrative markets but others nations should not be deprived.
What is your most cherished memory on a cricket field?
Playing the U19 world cups and beating teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh and South Africa. A win on the cricket field is always cherished.
Who is the most talented player you have played with?
There are a lot of talented players but if I have to name few, Gyanendra Malla, Paras Khadka and Sharad. There was another player who didn’t play enough feel, Sandeep shrestha. But we have been blessed with many other talented players.
If you were asked to select an all time Nepal XI what would it be?
It is really tough to choose 11 players out of hundreds of very good players. Please forgive me if I miss out any fellow players or team-mates, I can only select XI. The following is based on the group of players i played with.
My all time Nepal Xl is: 1. Paresh Lohani, 2. Kanishka Chaugai, 3. Gyanendra Malla, 4. Paras Khadka, 5. Sharad Vesawkar, 6. Mahboob Alam, 7. Raju Khadka, 8. Ganesh Shahi, 9. Basant Regmi, 10. Shakti Gauchan, 11.Binod Das, 12.Dipendra Chaudhary/ Raj Kumar Pradhan
What are your future aspirations in the game?
As a player my immediate aim is to do well in World Cricket league Division 4. We need to reach division 2 as soon as possible. I have attained my level 3 coaching badge so I will be involved in cricket in some capacity in future as well.