Cricket Nepal (Archive)

On the field, Qais Khalid Al Said is like any other Omani cricketer.

The big man with headband on his bald head is always longing to contribute for his team’s victory. Off the field, however, he is His Highness, the cousin of the Sultan of Oman and bloodline of the Al Bu Sa’idi dynasty, the oldest monarchy in the world.

His Highness Qais Khalid Al Said of Oman during ACC T20 Cup in Kathmandu. Photo by PhotoEverest.com

Al Said, 33, is a medium pace bowler and bats lower down the order; but his contribution to the cricket doesn’t end at the field. He is also the vice-president of the Oman Cricket and is determined to take cricket in his country, where mainly expatriates play the game, to a next level.

“In Oman cricket is not a big sport and only expatriates play the game. There are only two Omanis in the team right now,” Al Said, who is currently in Nepal with the team to compete in the ACC Twenty20 Cup, said. “But I hope to popularize the game and attract more Omani players into it.”

Al Said learnt cricket in his early days when he studied at Oxford, UK and played junior county cricket. Later, he moved to Millfield School, a school in Somerset that is world-renowned as a sports school.

“At the age of 16, I was in the school’s first team and opened bowling with Simon Jones,” Al Said said. Jones later played for England and was a part of Ashes winning English team in 2005.

The proud moment of his early day cricket is also associated with a famous English cricketer. “My claim to fame was bowling out Mark Trescothick for a duck during a junior game with Somerset,” he recalled.

Al Said fielding during a match in Kathmandu. Photo by PhotoEverest.com

He also used to play football. He moved to USA after receiving a football scholarship and didn’t play cricket for 13 years. His passion for cricket got revived after he returned Oman two years ago.

Al Said wishes to play cricket as long as his body allows because he thinks it’s an honor to play for ones country.

“I want to ensure that our children have someone to look up to and idolize” said Al Said looking out with dreams in his eyes–the dream to see Oman with Omani players competing with the established Test nations.

Hong Kong will meet Afghanistan in the final of the ACC Twenty20 Cup.

Hong Kong defeated Oman by 3 wickets in a semifinal after Afghanistan had outplayed Nepal by 9 wickets.

Oman won the toss and elected to bat first. They batted well against normally disciplined Hong Kong bowlers who failed to claim wickets. They made 142 for 6 in 20 overs.

Emotional Munir Dar after taking Hong Kong to the final. Photo by PhotoEverest.com

Opener Zeeshan Siddiqui gave them the best possible start scoring 22 runs off Aizaz Khan. However, Hong Kong pegged down back putting brakes on the runs for next six overs, in which Oman only scored 24 more runs.

Siddiqui fell after scoring 42 off 34 and Vaibhav Wategaonkar shouldered the responsibility of scoring and took the team to the end with unbeaten 56 off 46 balls with two sixes. None of other batsmen reached double-digit but the duo ensured that although they lost wickets at one end, the other remained anchored.

Irfan Ahmed was most successful bowler claiming 3 wickets for 20 runs while Munir Dar, Nadeem Ahmed and Roy Lamsam each claimed a wicket.

Munir Dar kisses the pitch after match-winning 76 as Nadeem Ahmed watches. Photo by PhotoEverest.com

Hong Kong began well scoring 29 in 3 overs but momentarily lost the rhythm losing quick wickets. From 30/0, they were down to 55/4 and their run-chase looked doomed.

However, Munir Dar had other idea. He anchored the whole innings, played the shots as required by the game, clever touches around the ground early and big hits later, to take Hong Kong to the final. He scored 76 not out of just 46 balls. His man-of-the-match winning knock included 8 fours and 3 sixes.

Irfan Ahmed had earlier scored 23, the second top-scorer of the innings. For Oman, left-arm spinners Hemal Mehta and Aay Lalcheta took two wickets each.

Oman's 50. Photo by PhotoEverest.com

UAE takes fifth place

UAE outplayed Malaysia by 9 wickets to take the fifth place in the ACC T20 Cup at the IOE Ground.

Malaysia scored 104 all out in 19.1 overs – thanks to Suresh Navaratnam’s 56. Shuarril Fetri scored 12 and no other batsmen reached double-digit.

Khurram Khan was the most successful UAE bowlers taking 4 wickets for 8 runs. Shadeep Silva, Ahmed Raza and Nasir Aziz each grabbed two wickets.

In reply, UAE batted well to take the match with 10.1 overs remaining. They reached 106 in 9.5 overs losing only a wicket. Faizan Asif was out scoring 21 off 15.

Amjad Ali scored 64 off 35 balls with 7 fours and four sixes while Baktiyar Palekar remained unbeaten on 17 of 9 balls.

Kuwait is seventh

Kuwait beat Maldives by 82 runs in the seventh-place playoff at IOE Ground.

Batting first, Kuwait scored tournament highest 199 for 5 wickets in 20 overs. Mohd Asghar (55 runs off 26 balls, six fours and three sixes), Saud Qamar (unbeaten 58 runs off 37 balls with five sixes and two fours), Mohd Rifkas (run-a-ball 28) and Azmatullah Nazeer (not out 25 off 10 balls) helped Kuwait score the big total.

In reply, Maldives were bowled out for 117 in 19.3 overs. Haroon Shahid claimed three wickets while Abdullah Akhunzada and Nazeer each took two wickets.

For Maldives, Moosa Kaleem scored 27 and Mohd Mahfooz got 23.

Nepal has qualified for the semi-final of the ACC T20, as UAE failed to win their final league match by the required margin. Having put into bat UAE put up 168, and needed to contain Saudi Arabia within 98 runs to post a net run rate better than Nepal, which would have eliminated the host team from the tournament.

UAE posted 168, thanks largely to Vikrant Shetty, who came in at 6 and thrashed the Saudi bowlers all around the park, pushing UAE to a huge total. At one point of time, UAE was 7 down for 105.

Chasing a difficult target, Saudi Arabia started losing wickets right from beginning and the trend continued throughout, except that Hammad Saeed proved to be UAE nemesis and Nepali crowd’s darling of the day.

Saeed posted 63 – off 38 deliveries – with 6 sixes, and was out right after eliminating UAE from the tournament. He was the ninth man to fall down, with score at 101. And after that, despite the win, the score did not matter for UAE.

UAE also missed out on the opportunity to play for ICC World Twenty20 Global Qualifier. Hong Kong, Nepal and Oman have qualified from Asian region for the Global Qualifiers. Afghanistan automatically qualifies for the championship

Hong Kong confirmed it’s position in the ACC Twenty20 Cup semifinals and the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers next year outplaying Kuwait at the TU Ground.

Hong Kong was required to defeat Kuwait in 16.3 overs, after Kuwait scored 130/9, to ensure the qualification ahead of Nepal on better net run rate and they did the job in 14.5 overs.

Kuwait elected to bat first and put up 130/9 in 20 overs. Mohammed Asghar scored 34 runs off 22 balls hitting two boundaries and three sixes.

Azmatullah Nazeer added 28 runs off 29 balls. Munir Dar, Nadeem Ahmed, Irfan Ahmed and Nizakat Khan took two wickets each for Hong Kong.

Kuwait gave ordinary performance in bowling and fielding. They bowled without enthusiasm, and gave away too many weak deliveries.

Jamie Atkinson scored unbeaten 41 runs off 29 balls hitting five boundaries. Man-of-the-match Munir Dar added 39 runs off 29 balls as he struck two boundaries and four sixes to guide Hong Kong to the semifinal.

Malaysia keep semis hope alive

Malaysia defeated Bhutan by 112 runs at the IOE Ground to keep their semifinal hope alive.

Malaysia elected to bat first and put up 191/6 in 20 overs. Man-of-the-match Hammad Ullah Khan scored 51 runs off 28 balls with nine boundaries.

Suharril Fetri scored 49 runs off 30 balls while Suhan Kumar struck 31 runs off 22 balls and Suresh Navaratnam added 27 runs off 19 balls.

Malaysia keeps semifinal hopes alive with a win. Photo by PhotoEverest.com

Sonam Tobgay took two wickets while Tandin Wangchuk, Phuntsho Wangdi, Suprit Pradhan and Dampo Dorji claimed a wicket each.

Chasing a big total, Bhutan was all out for 79 runs in 19.2 overs. Kumar Subba (18 runs off 28 balls) and Thinley Jamtsho (16 runs off 13 balls) were major contributors for Bhutan. Norwira Zazmie took three wickets while Abdul Rashid claimed a wicket for Malaysia.

Malaysia has four points from four matches and remains on the third position. Oman, which will take on Maldives on Thursday in the last group stage match, also has four points and second position with superior net run rates.

Malaysia has chance of qualifying only if Oman lose Thursday´s match by huge margin.

Maldives has two points from three matches while Bhutan is at the bottom without any win.

Afghanistan thrash Maldives

Afghanistan is on the top of the group table with eight points from four matches as it thrashed Maldives by 62 runs.

Maldives invited Afghanistan to bat first. Afghanistan put up 157/8 as Shabir Noori scored 76 runs off 50 balls.

Shabir Noori scored 76 runs off 50 balls for big Afghan victory over Maldives. Photo by PhotoEverest.com

Man-of-the-match Noori struck nine boundaries and two sixes. Karim Sadiq scored 26 runs off 22 balls. Ahmed Faiz took three wickets while Moosa Kaleem and Mohammed Mahfooz claimed two wickets apiece.

Maldives was all out for 95 runs in 18.2 overs. Moosa Kaleem scored 45 runs off 35 balls as he struck seven boundaries and two sixes but could not take the match close.

Mohotte Jayakody (19 runs off 21 balls) and Jilwaz Rasheed (15 runs off 18 balls) were the other major contributors for Maldives. Mohammad Nabi sent four Maldivian batsmen to pavilion while Nawroz Mangal took three wickets.

With a below-par performance in batting and fielding, Nepal lost to UAE by 6 wickets in the ACC Twenty20 Cup at the TU Cricket Ground.

The heart-breaking defeat was a result of Nepal’s own fault and UAE’s thorough performance all-round which helped them to outplay Nepal in every department of the game. Continue reading →

On the second day of the ACC Twenty20 Cup, defending champions Afghanistan and UAE secured second victory of the tournament as Kuwait and Maldives also registered a win each.

Afghanistan beat Oman by 40 runs and UAE stunned hosts Nepal by 6 wickets at the TU Ground whereas Maldives thrashed Bhutan by 9 wickets and Kuwait got past Saudi Arabia by six wickets at the IOE Ground. Continue reading →

The ESPNCricinfo player page on Nepali international, Mahesh Chhetri says that his favourite is Mohammad Kaif (former Indian international). And like Kaif, this boy from Nepalgunj finds himself out of favour from the selectors this time.

When Cricket association of Nepal (CAN) announced team for the ACCT20 Cup, Chhetri was one of the two names surprisingly missing – the other being all rounder Shakti Gauchan. Gauchan lost his place to young left arm spinner Rahul Biswokarma while Chhetri lost his position to U-19 team wicket keeper Subash Khakurel. Chhetri’s omission has raised few eyebrows in the cricket fraternity, more so in his hometown Nepalgunj, where his cricketing roots lie.

Subhendhu Pandey, cricketer from Nepalgunj, and Mahesh’s friend was visibly surprised with the omission. “I am shocked, I never thought he will be dropped from the side now”, adding, “Whatever the reason be (to drop him), he will come back strongly in the side.”

Another player from the same region, Anupam Singh says it was unbelievable. “Subendhu messaged me about this, but I didn’t believe in the first place, I thought he must be joking” he added, “But when I my facebook, it became clear. I had to find courage to call Mahesh Dai. Singh further said, “I felt very sad. It’s very shocking decision.”

These reactions clearly indicate the mood of Nepalgunj cricket circle, in the aftermath of Chhetri being dropped.

Mahesh Chhetri, who played since 2006 for Nepal’s national side continuously, was the part of Nepal’s U-19 World Cup 2006 team, which went on to win the plate championship.

He considered a fantastic player in 50 overs cricket, but his role in the newest format of the cricket, the T20 is under scanner. L B Chhetri, former national player, believes Mahesh has quality to bounce back. L B says “If this decision is made only for T20, where team needs pinch hitter like Khakurel, it’s OK. But if the same is done for longer formats like 50 over and three day matches, then team’s performance will suffer. Chhetri is very good in those formats.”

Coach Pubudu Dasanayake is seen instrumental in dropping Chhetri and bringing in Khakurel. As a coach, that too, new to the given role, Dassanayake had to go for a player who would give explosive start to the team. And here, Chhetri is considered ‘slow’. However, Khakurel lacks the experience that Chhetri has, having played for close to 5 years for national team.

This way, the tournament is likely to be an acid test, not only for Chhetri’s replacement, Khakurel, but also for coach Dassanayake.

Despite all this, Mahesh Chhetri appears strong, and positive. The day he reached Nepalgunj, following his ouster, he asked his friends to come for a practice in the evening. Talking about the decision, he said “It’s just a tour missed. I have age, time, experience and spirit. I will be back in the team more determined and stronger.” He added “the fustration of being left out motivates me stronger.”

Determination… This is perhaps why this boy from Nepalgunj has been in team for half a decade. And if he manages it well, Nepalgunj would be proud of him.

In a nail-biting finish, Nepali batsmen held nerves in final overs to register a two-wicket victory over Hong Kong in the ACC Twenty20 Cup at the TU Cricket Ground.

Nepal needed 26 off last two overs chasing Hong Kong’s 114/9 in 20 overs and it looked easy with captain Paras Khadka, playing at 44, at the center. However, he was out next ball trying an unorthodox flick to Irfan Ahmed. Continue reading →

Defending champions Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman registered win along with hosts Nepal on the first day of the ACC Twenty20 Cup in Kathmandu. Continue reading →

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) will hold the first-ever general assembly and election on December 18, the ad-hoc committee meeting on Thursday decided. Continue reading →

Players often talk about luck contributing for both their success and failure. Nepali Wicketkeeper-batsman Subash Khakurel, who will be making a debut after being recently included in the Nepali national team, could be the best representative to talk about luck for occasions.

Khakurel was not  there in the 22-member squad for the ACC T20 initially. But not only he got a berth in 14-member squad, but is also likely to be an important player for the team, playing at home. It is almost sure that Khakurel will open the innings alongside Anil Mandal.

However, last hour entry in the team is not a new thing for Khakurel. He was not in the first 33-member team called in for the 11^th South Asian Games held in Bangladesh last year. Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) had added two players in the closed camp by then and Khakurel had made a cut through into the last 14. He was showed his importance for the squad asNepal crossed the group stage, at the tournament.

When Khakurel was asked about the two incidents, he credited luck behind it. “Probably, this is my luck. Every time, I’m going through the same incidents. I had no hope this time also as I was not in the 22-member squad,” said Khakurel.

Khakurel was called in the closed camp for training as Mehboob Alam and Bhuwan Karki sustained injuries ahead of Nepal U-25 team’s participation in the SAARC T20 held in theMaldiveslast month.

Mahesh Chhetri, the regular wicketkeeper-batsman of the team, could not impress new coach Pubudu Dassanayake by his batting inMaldives, and Khakurel got a chance to prove himself.

Khakurel, himself, expressed his disbelief on his inclusion. “At first I was surprised to hear my name, but I’m proud to be in it (national team),” said Khakurel. “I dreamt of being in the national team and it is fulfilled now. However, I know that I’m in as long as I perform,” said Khakurel.

Following his impressive performance in the South Asian Games, Khakurel was called in the closed camp for the ICC World Cricket League Division-5 but he could not secure a seat in the last 14. Nepali batsmen struggled to score runs against theUSbowlers in the Division-5, but Khakurel had scored 53runs off 34 balls in a warm-up match against theUSteam. TheUScoach and his team were surprised to know Khakurel was not in the national squad. “After the match, they told me that I should not wait longer to be in the national team,” Khakurel recalled the incident.

Khakurel claimed that he is aware of the national duty. People believe that Khakurel is in the team because of his batting skill. “I’m doing well behind the wicket and batting is another important responsibility for me,” said Khakurel. His attacking style could give a positive start for his team.

Khakurel is considered as good learner. “I’m going through intense training session and coach is teaching me very important techniques in wicketkeeping and batting,” said Khakurel after attending a 40-minute long training session for wicketkeeping bySri Lanka’s former wicketkeeper Dassanayake.

Looking back, Khakurel was unable to justify his role within the team after his impressive performance in the South Asian Games held inDhaka. He was average during the ACC U-19 Elite Cup held inThailandand ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifiers held inIreland. His 54-run innings againstAfghanistaninIrelandwas his best during that period.

The upcoming tournament could be an important one for Khakurel to prove his mettle. “I’m little nervous about the tournament on the home soil but I’m equally pumped up to do better,” said Khakurel.

Former President of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) Jai Kumar Nath Shah has declined to accept his appointment as an advisor of CAN.

In a letter sent to National Sports Council (NSC) member-secretary Yubaraj Lama on November 20, Shah wrote that he was offered a similar position in 2006 but he declined to ensure ‘open field for new board so that they can work freely’.

“Thank you for your kind offer but my decision is irrevocable,” he wrote to Lama.

NSC had appointed him as the advisor on November 18.

Shah was president of CAN for more than 40 years before his committee was dissolved on September, 2006. He was also awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2006.