Defending champion Lama makes early exit

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Oct 9 - Defending champion Rajen Lama succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to bow out of the Surya Nepal Snooker Challenge 2001 finals at Lainchaur Covered Hall on Tuesday.

The tournament being organised by Billiards, Snooker and Pool Association of Nepal under the sponsorship of Surya Tobacco Ltd and technical assistance of Cosmos Solarium witnessed Chhorten Snooker’s Lama get off to a good start with a couple of useful breaks against Navaraj Dhakal.

However, Dhakal representing Exclusive Snooker cameback aggressively to take the first two frames. It could well have been a straight forward victory but Lama won the third won exhibiting some brilliant potting shots to force the fourth frame.

With neither of the two managing a clear lead, the frame developed into a live wire and Dhakal finally won the match and a place in the last 16 on black.

To join Dhakal in the pre-quarterfinals, Wale Subba of Fun Corner, Dharan, scored a comprehensive 3-0 win over Akash Shrestha of Center Point while Mahendra Nepali of Club Ten, Pokhara came from a frame down to triumph 3-2 over Chhiring Gyaltzen of Dragon Snooker.

It turned out to be the day of Pokhara cueists as Hom Bahadur Nepali of Club Ten handed another blow to Dragon Snooker, beating Sonam Lama by 3-2 in an absorbing contest.

Chhorten Snooker suffered yet another setback when their second cueist Kunga Lama fell to Boudha Snooker’s Prem Lama 3-1. But Boudha Snooker failed to see both of its players through to the last 16 as Angtemba Sherpa lost to Cosmos Solarium’s JB Thapa at 3-2. Surya Lama of Revival House of Pools, Narayangardh too
went down with the same scoreline to Ashok Bhagat of Yuppies Snooker.

In the day’s other matches, Sanjay Lama of Chhorten Snooker beat Bijay Shrestha of Yuppies 3-1 while Garden Snooker’s Indra Gurung scored an easy 3-0 win over Sagar Chitrakar of Maze. Similarly, Bishnu Lama of Super Bowl entered the last 16 with a 3-1 win against Krishna Neupane of Revival.

Nepali cricketers for U-19 Youth Asia Cup

By Somesh Verma

KATHMANDU, Oct 9 – Nepal is at the threshold of fashioning yet another cricket combination—the eight-team Youth Asia Cup Cricket tournament. As the hosts, stakes are high on them to live upto the expectations of the mass. And understandably enough, home players will be under scrutiny as to how they justify the coaches’ faith on them. Here we take a glimpse at the Nepali cricketers.

Binod Das

The most experienced player in the ranks, Binod Das is also highly regarded by former Sri Lankan Test player and present Nepal coach Roy Dias. Das has represented Nepal in the last Youth Asia Cup in Hong Kong as well as the Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka last year.

As a skipper and premium pace bowler, the 18-year-old will have to shoulder the bulk of responsibility for the team. Das, on many occasions, has proved his mettle as an allrounder. Much of the team’s progress in the championship depends on his ability to marshal his troops.

Kanishka Chougain

Selected as an opener, Kanishka Chougain’s ability to bowl right-arm medium pace would be an extra asset to the team. According to the coaches in the camp, Chougain will hold the key to Nepali side’s batting. The team relies on this 15-year-old opener to bring stability in batting, holding one end while other batsmen go for strokes.

Yashwant Subedi

As another opening bat, Yashwant Subedi is also rated highly by those at the helm of the camp. The 16-year-old right hand bat from Biratnagar was a member of the side that participated in Under-17 ICC tournament played in Bangladesh.

Subedi—who idolises Sachin Tendulkar and Mark Waugh—along with Chougain, will be expected to provide Nepal a stable start in the championship.

Prem Choudhary

Included in the team as a frontline batsman, Choudhary, the 16-year-old right hand batsman is likely to bat at number 3—just as his present mentor Roy Dias used to do for Sri Lanka.

Choudhary, who hails from Kailali, has already played for Nepal Under-17 side in Pakistan in 2000

Shakti Gauchan

This 17-year-old player from Bhairahwa has already been to international circuit as the captain of Nepali Under-17 team to Bangladesh earlier this year. Chiefly as a spinner allrounder in the side, he bowls left-arm orthodox.

The lanky player’s strokeplay is also highly regarded by the coaches..

Pramod Basnet

Pramod Basnet, as a bowling allrounder in the side, is likely to be a perfect foil for his captain when it comes to bowling. This 17-year-old from Kathmandu, right-handed bat and right arm bowler, is regarded by many as a player to watch in the upcoming tournament.

His earlier international experience as a Under-17 player to both Pakistan and Bangladesh in last couple of years may come handy this time.

Manoj Katuwal

Had it not been for the presence of the experienced Ganesh Shahi, Manoj Katuwal might have flown to Toronto as a wicketkeeper with the senior team for the ICC trophy. He was among 18 probables for that tour—which speaks volume for the 17-year-old wicket-keeper’s calibre.

Apart from his ‘keeping, he has won accolades for his batting, something his team would be banking on to boost the team’s batting.