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Kathmandu,Tuesday January 18, 2000 Magh 4th, 2056.
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Nepal's strength to be
tested in Super League
-By a Post Reporter
KATHMANDU, Jan 17 - The Cricket
Association of Nepal (CAN) has released the Super League groupings of the Under 19
World Cup in Sri Lanka for which Nepal have qualified by virtue of beating Kenya in a
tight group match on Sunday.
Realistically Nepal may have less than an
even chance of making it to the semis let alone the final but they have done more than
what was expected of them by progressing to the Super League in only their first
appearance in the tournament. Understandably CAN are delighted and pleased by this. Not
less for the fact that Nepal came out of a tough group that included South Africa and
Pakistan.
Luck played a major role in Nepal’s
success. The rain affected their difficult matches against the two big cricketing nations,
South Africa and Pakistan, giving Nepal, ultimately, the two important points that helped
them leap over South Africa to take that second and qualifying place.
In their final crucial group game against
Kenya, another experienced team, Nepal did not bat well. But they bowled brilliantly.
Kenya’s batting depth was left paddling in shallow water as they collapsed at 93 all
out in just 24.5 overs chasing Nepal’s modest total of 108. Nepal’s captain Das
and Mahboob Alam were the inspirations behind their unexpected victory taking 3 wickets
apiece.
Looking at both of the Super League groups,
Nepal seems to have been placed in the easier of the two. But that is not saying much
since Nepal have to face India, England and Sri Lanka in their group. If Nepal do progress
then the team and the country must not fall into a state of shock and panic. Success,
afterall, in this country seems always to be a frightening thing. Beyond that, well,
anything could happen. The other group comprises of West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan and
Australia.
The first of the Super League matches,
according to the CAN press release, in which each side will play each other once, is set
for Jan 18 with Nepal taking on India. Nepal’s next match will see them take on Sri
Lanka on Jan 20 and finally England on Jan 22. The top two teams of each group, after the
completion of the Super League matches, will progress to the semis. The first semi-final
is slated for Jan 24 and the second is on Jan 25. The final has been fixed for Jan 28.
All the Super League matches and the semis
and final can be watched LIVE on Sony Setmax TV from Jan 18 onwards.
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