Nepali team for ACC U-16 Elite Cup is to be taken care of by domestic coach. Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has decided to keep Manjur Alam Khan as in-charge of the team, for the tournament that will be played in Malaysia from May 4.
“Technical Committee had recommended Mahesh Rijal. But he could not make it due to family reasons. So, we’ve chosen Manjur Alam Khan as coach for U-16 team,” CAN General Secretary Ashok Pyakurel said. Nepal has appointed Pubudu Dassanayake as chief coach.
“According to contract, Dassanayake is to mainly look after National and U-19 team,” Pyakurel said. “He was to have a look at them during camp. But due to controversy over age, team selection was delayed. He will have a look at them for 2-4 days, when he’s back.” Dassanayake is in Canada right now.
CAN General Secretary said that it’s an opportunity for domestic coaches. Manjur is being aided by Samson Jung Thapa at the closed camp. He’s the first domestic coach to take charge of youth team, when a foreign coach is still in contract.
40-year-old Manjur was assistant to Nepal’s Sri Lankan Coach Roy Dias, when Nepal won Emerging Nations Cup in 2003, ACC U-15 Cup in 2005, ACC U-17 Cup in 2008. He was Assistant Coach of the team during ACC Twenty20 in 2009.
“This is both challenge and an opportunity for me. Everyone is a new face in U-16 team. Our team will be good. Nepal is No. 1 team in ACC age group championships. I will try to keep that identity,” said Manjur.