In some ways ICC World T20 Qualifiers is a ‘Turning Point’ for Nepal. Two years ago, at the same tournament, Team Nepal was able to gauge what challenges it was to face in future. At the same time, it was able to get a pulse of its competitors. Many think, the experience of two years ago would help Nepal turn its fortunes and qualify for World T20 this time.
When Nepal was stopped in ICC World Cricket League Division 4, in 2010, then coach of Afghanistan, Taj Malik, had said, “Nepali standard is very high. But Nepali players are in awe of big names in other teams. Once Nepal crosses a level and beats a big team, it will start series of wins.”
He kept Nepal and Afghanistan at the same level, saying “At one point, Afghanistan was also like Nepal. Once Afghanistan started winning, the countries considered bigger than us, Kenya, Canada, Netherlands, Scotland were not too big for us.” He was the coach of Afghanistan team that was in Division 5 in 2010 and by next year, it climbed to Division 2.
Nepal’s only victory against Afghanistan came during Malik’s reign. That was in 2006, for third place play-off in ACC Trophy. Afghans climbed up to Division 2. Nepal could manage a climb up to Division 4 only.
Things changed with the arrival of Pubudu Dassanayake as a coach. The World T20 qualifiers two years ago is an example. Nepal had to struggle to get into semi-final of ACC T20 Cup, just to qualify for World T20 qualifier. In the process, Nepal defeated Hong Kong by a wicket and Kuwait by a run.
Nepal was the lowest ranked team, out of 16 playing the qualifiers in 2011. But Team Nepal defeated Denmark, PNG and Kenya – all ranked above Nepal – for the first time. But it lost out to Canada and could only manage to finish as 7th, as top 6 went to the last round of World T20 qualifiers.
Right after return from the tournament, captain Paras Khadka had said, “If we improve our game a little, we can play World T20 next time. We finished as 7th. Top 6 is just one step above us. So it is possible. We now know what needs to be done to reach there.”
The exposure in this tournament has enabled Nepal to climb to the top spot of ICC Associate nations, many say. Last year, Nepal defeated USA twice in Division 4 championship. When Nepal won Division 3, Uganda and Bermuda – with ODI experience – were no match for the winners.
In last one year, Nepal has defeated UAE twice – in 50 over and 20 over. The win last year had come after a gap of 14 years.
And in the World T20 qualifiers, that begin on Friday, Nepal be facing the same PNG, Bermuda, Kenya and Denmark. All these have faced defeat against Nepal in recent matches. At the same time, the big names – Afghanistan, Scotland and Netherlands – are also pooled with Nepal.