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Kathmandu Saturday June 23, 2001 Ashadh 09, 2058.
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Team looks at Sarraf, Das,
Regmi to deliver goods
By Somesh Verma
KATHMANDU, June 22 – An old adage in
cricket goes: "Batsmen do not win matches, it is the bowlers." Not only does it
apply to the longer version of the game but also to the limited over matches. No wonder
then that a decent bowling attack bears paramount importance.
In the upcoming tour to Canada, Nepali bowlers
will have a herculian task to perform. And the team looks at the following bowlers to
deliver the goods in the ICC trophy.
Jay Prakash Sarraf
Jay Prakash Sarraf may not look like a typical
allrounder—rushing to bowl at 80 miles an hour and coming in to bat at No 6—
but, if one has to select the team for a one-dayer, he is likely to make it to the eleven.
A right arm leg-break bowler and a lower-order
batsman, the 22-year-old from Birgunj, made his first appearance in the national circuit
in the 12th Jay trophy (1996). Shortly after his debut, he was selected to represent Nepal
in the Youth Asia Cup played in Hong Kong in 1997.
Though he fits in the team mainly as a bowler,
he is no novice with the bat. His half century, which he scored against the hosts, Hong
Kong in 1997, exemplifies his judicious aggression. However, he rates the cameo innings of
43 against Papua New Guinea in the same tourney as the best ever he has accumulated in the
international outings.
Binod Kumar Das
Seldom has there been an occasion when anyone is
adjudged the best player in his debut. But Binod Das has achieved this rare distinction in
Satyanarayan trophy in 1996. He certainly has talent to go along with it. Beside that he
was named the best bowler in two consecutive Jay trophy tournaments played in Rupandehi
and Rajbiraj in 1999 and 2000 respectively.
Leading from the front, he guided his team to a
famous victory against the formidable Kenyan side in the Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka. He
took three wickets conceding just 21 runs in the match and was the most successful Nepali
bowler at the end of the tournament.
Though primarily considered a bowler, he is
equally gifted with the bat, which is well exemplified by his involvement in the
last-wicket partnership of 94 runs, a record for Nepal.
He would definitely want to improve upon his
extravagant over that cost him 24 runs in a single over against Hong Kong in UAE. And the
ICC trophy might just offer favourable condition to do that.
Sanjam Regmi
Mere mention of his favorite cricketer is enough
to suggest what role he performs on the cricket field. His favorite player is—
Saqlain Mustaq. Needless to say Sanjam Regmi is an off-spinner.
The only ‘offie’ in the pack, Regmi’s
first international tournament dates back to 1997, when he was selected for the Youth Asia
Cup that was held in Hong Kong.
Talking of his batting exploits, he was Binod
Das’ partner in the record 94-run stand they shared against Kathmandu in the Jay
trophy last year. However, he may have a tough time fighting for a place in the eleven due
to the presence of more illustrious spinners. |
