Entire country seems to be gripped by cricket fever, thanks to Team Nepal playing in the World T20 qualifiers and just one victory away from playing its maiden World T20.
Nepal faces Hong Kong on Wednesday in the second round of the ICC World T20 Qualifiers in the UAE, and a win in this match will secure Nepal’s place in the finals to be held next year in Bangladesh.
Not only cricket fans but those with little or no knowledge of cricket are eagerly waiting for Nepal’s upcoming match.
However, three well-known Nepali cricketers — former captain Binod Das, Prithu Baskota and Sanjam Regmi — have missed the qualifiers due to injuries.
Das and Regmi have been regular members of the Nepali squad for the last decade. Baskota has also established himself as one of the key players of the team over the past couple of years.
The ones missing out the big occasion: (L-R) Binod Das, Prithu Baskota, Sanjam Regmi
They shared their feelings on not being part of the team on one of the biggest moments in Nepali cricket. Excerpts:
Binod Das
(He picked up a hamstring injury two months ago while playing for Birgunj in the last group match of the National T20 Championship against Nepalgunj.)
I played for so long for the country. And as the right time approached to realize our dreams, injury forced me out of the team. I would not have lamented if I had been left out failing to compete with emerging talents of the team, where there are many new faces. I am having a really hard time consoling myself in this situation. Everyone might feel the same as I do. But I am still optimistic that I could be a part of the team if Nepal qualifies for the World T20. I know about 90 percent of players become victims of hamstring injuries during their playing career. But it is my misfortune that I picked up hamstring injury twice, and both on vital occasions.
Prithu Baskota
(He injured his knee during the closed-camp training of the national team in mid-September. He was injured while playing football during training at the TU ground in Kirtipur. The MRI report concluded that his right knee ligament was completely torn. If he had undergone surgery, he could have been out of action for at least six months. But the physiotherapist reached the conclusion after clinical correlation that his injury was not as severe as imagined previously. Latest developments following suggestions from doctors in Delhi and various physiotherapies have shown strong signs that he could make his comeback in two months. Baskota is currently training at TU with the aim of regaining his place in the squad while his teammates are in the UAE.)
I really miss the team as it was like a family. We had a great camaraderie. Nepal is on the verge of qualifying for the World T20. I wish I were in the team even if I did not get a chance to play. I would lose a lifetime opportunity if Nepal makes it to the World Cup. Though I miss the team dearly, I watch them play. One could know a lot about weaknesses watching on television. The next time I play, it will be easy for me as I have watched the live matches.
Sanjam Regmi
(He missed the National T20 Tournament as well as the closed-camp training for the ongoing World T20 Qualifiers due to eye infection. Doctors had advised him to rest at home for two weeks and not to get exposed to sunlight or artificial light. He had to sit out the National T20 Tournament, which was was the basis of players selection for the ongoing qualifiers, but he claims to have motivated skipper Paras Khadka for off-spin bowling.)
It is not a good idea to play with injury. It is really disappointing not to be in the team when we are close to creatig history. I am disappointed not to be in the team along with Binod Das, with whom I have played for a long time in the team. Das, Shakti Gauchan and I started our national team careers at almost the same time. We were together in the team during the U-19 World Cup in 2002. But I feel somewhat satisfied that Gauchan is still representing us in the team. Basanta Regmi is also a senior player and I miss him badly too. When I watch (live) Paras Khadka bowling off-spin, it really feels great.
During last year’s qualifiers of the same tournament, we were kept in an apartment with kitchen and dining facility. I learnt then that cricket was not just a game of bat and ball, but also of unity. Though there was arrangement for dining outside, we occasionally cooked food ourselves to keep the team unity intact on the suggestion of coach Pubudu Dassanayake. Gauchan used to cook meat, Anil Mandal dal and Bhat and others did other things. Khadka used to come to test the food. Everyone used to clean their dishes. I really miss that now.
With inputs from Prajwal Oli