After a 3-2 loss in the T20 series against West Indies 'A', full of 'T20 specialist' players, the Nepali national men's cricket team left for the ICC T20 World Cup on Saturday. The T-20 World Cup will be held in the US and the West Indies starting from June 2. After a decade, Nepal is set to participate in the World Cup for the second time. Fans across Nepal and around the world have been eagerly awaiting this opportunity. The burgeoning cricket craze in Nepal naturally anticipates a strong performance from its team. The patriotic youths, who have developed a love for cricket, yearn for victory in the competition against strong cricketing nations. Global cricket enthusiasts, witnessing Nepal's emerging presence, also hope for a commendable performance. The outcome will hinge on the four group stage matches that Nepal will play initially in the World Cup. Placed in Group D, Nepal will encounter heavyweight teams like South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the formidable associate nation, the Netherlands. Among them, Sri Lanka, a former World Cup champion, poses a significant challenge. Nepal must defeat at least one Test team to rejuvenate its supporters. Even failing that, victory against the Netherlands is imperative. Such expectations from supporters and well-wishers are not unwarranted. However, doubts have arisen due to the Nepali team's recent performance in various series. Despite losing the home series against West Indies, winning two matches could be seen as a positive sign, but the team's excellence cannot be solely judged based on this.
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The Nepalese team's performance in the ACC Premier Cup held in Oman last month exposed the poor form of key batsmen and consistently subpar bowling. Recently, the team has played more games in familiar 'home grounds,' predominantly at the TU Cricket Stadium. While practice in India may offer a different experience, the pitches of the Indian subcontinent tend to favor batsmen. The humiliating defeat in the ACC Premier Cup might also be attributed to unfavorable external conditions. The Caribbean pitches are known to favor fast bowlers, posing a challenge to Nepalese batsmen accustomed to slower bowling. It hasn't been long since Pakistan's bowlers troubled Nepali batters in the Asia Cup. The team's inconsistent performance in varying conditions adds to the challenge. Additionally, Nepal's bowling unit has faced criticism. Fast bowlers will play a crucial role in Caribbean conditions, yet bowling remains expensive, even in the 'death overs.' Nepal's biggest challenge lies in the lack of effective 'strike bowlers.' Sompal Kami, Nepal's most experienced fast bowler, is participating in the World Cup for the second time. Despite establishing himself as Nepal's premier bowler, his recent form has been questionable. With most wicket keepers being all-rounders, except for Asif Sheikh and Anil Kumar Shah, the team lacks batsmen capable of playing long innings patiently. Another concern is the lack of form of Kushal Bhurtel, who was once a prolific bowler. To compensate for Sandeep Lamichhane's recent absence in bowling, coach Monty Desai has entrusted Bhurtel with leg-spin responsibilities. Bhurtel’s performance against Ireland and West Indies 'A was average ,but such experimentation might prove costly in a tournament like the World Cup.
Nepal's batting will face immense pressure due to the lack of a strong start. Apart from captain Rohit Kumar Paudel, other batsmen are struggling for form, indicating a weak batting lineup as Nepal enters a major competition like the World Cup. Consequently, Nepal's frail batting against world-class bowlers could lead to unexpected results. These weaknesses in the Nepalese team stem not only from the players but also from coaching and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), which cannot be overlooked. However, the current team, seemingly focused on learning even from its weaknesses, has yet to demonstrate substantial progress. Learning from past mistakes, such as losses to the UAE and Hong Kong and weaker teams, is essential. It's crucial to realize that Nepali cricket cannot progress to the next level until players, administrators, and sometimes even critics move beyond the mindset of "at least the players have done their job but what has the state given them in return?" With just three weeks left for the World Cup, it will serve as a litmus test for Nepali cricket's progress, coaching effectiveness, and management improvements. The team's performance in the World Cup will shape its future, given the significant investments by the state and unwavering support from fans, which demand excellence. A nation that rewards good performance should also hold underperformers accountable. With these considerations in mind, Nepal must prepare diligently for the World Cup, grooming its players to compete at the highest level and strive to make history beyond mere participation. Good luck!
