The Nepalese national U-19 men’s cricket team said goodbye to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Tuesday as they were ready to leave for the United Arab Emirates to compete in the ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup, which starts on Wednesday.
The event will include eight teams: five full members, two associate nations, and the host. Nepal is in Group B together with Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, while Group A includes the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, India, and Japan.
On December 3, Nepal will play Afghanistan in Sharjah, while on November 29, Nepal will play Sri Lanka. They also play Bangladesh on December 1 in Dubai.
While admitting that the team didn’t have much time to prepare, head coach Shakti Gauchan gave CAN credit for setting up a friendly series against Karnataka, India, which gave the team crucial match practice. He told me, “The series was crucial for preparing within a short period.”
Gauchan underlined that CAN’s focus on the U-19 team was evident in the team’s extensive assistance, which included an analyst, physiotherapist, and other technical staff. He expressed that despite the uncertainty of results, the team plans to give their utmost effort during the game.
Similar remarks were made by team captain Hemant Dhami, who thanked CAN for its resources and assistance in making sure the squad was prepared for the tournament.
The players and staff were encouraged by NSC member-secretary Tanka Lal Ghising and CAN secretary Paras Khadka to resist giving in to pressure during the competition. “We prioritize the under-age team because these young people are the future of Nepali cricket,” Khadka stated.
Khadka also praised the commercial sector’s contribution to cricket, pointing out that partnerships like Wai-Wai’s sponsorship of the most recent U-19 competition in Biratnagar are essential to the sport’s development.
Performances against Karnataka’s team were crucial in deciding the final roster of 15 players, which Gauchan disclosed was chosen following a closed camp with 18 players.
Ghising asked the players to concentrate on playing with composure and calmness, pointing out that the increasing success of Nepali cricket has heightened expectations. He said, “Success requires time, and the youngsters need to focus on giving their best.”
The Asia Cup presents an opportunity for the Nepali U-19 team to gain valuable experience. The coaching staff and CAN both expressed the belief that the players’ development will be greatly aided by the competition.
In order to create a more robust future for cricket in Nepal, the team’s farewell event highlighted the growing investment and significance placed on developing new cricket talent.
