National 8 (Spotlight Weekly)

Consistency Test

Can Nepal prove in Singapore that its success in New Zealand was no fluke?

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

Last week, when the BBC World Service asked Ehsan Mani, vice-president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) who has been chosen to succeed Australian Malcolm Gray as president from next year, what his future strategies would be, the first thing the Pakistani said was that he would make efforts to develop cricket in emerging countries like Nepal.

The impressive display by Nepalese cricketers at the Under 19 World Cup Championship held in New Zealand early this year had held the international cricket officials in awe. The Nepalese team then had managed the biggest upset of the tournament by defeating tournament favorite Pakistan. It was only by a whisker that the Nepalese team failed to make it to the second round. Had it gained place in the second round, it would have rubbed shoulders with the movers and shakers of the successful cricketing nations.

The display by the Nepalese team was all the more impressive given the fact that the country lacks even the basic infrastructures like a decent pitch. Now the team has left for Singapore to take part in the 4th Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Trophy that will be held between July 10-22. "It is time for Nepalese cricketers to show that their success in New Zealand was no fluke," said Binod Shankar Palikhey, member secretary of Nepal Sports Council (NSC).

It was only after the success that Nepalese sports authorities began to give fresh attention to cricket. The NSC has already provided Rs. 10 million for the development of cricket this year.

In the ACC Trophy, Nepal is grouped with Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. Nepal will open its game against Oman on July 12. The trophy involves Asian teams not included in the test-playing category.

The top two teams of the group will get an entry into the semi finals and the winner of the trophy will have the honor of playing a one-day championship match featuring teams like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Nepal's coach Roy Dias is confident that the Nepalese cricketers can put up a winning performance in the trophy. The Sri Lankan was instrumental in Nepal's success in New Zealand.

The Nepalese players include skipper Raju Khadka (right hand batsman and medium pacer), Binod Das (all rounder), Dipendra Chaudhary (all rounder), Raj Kumar Pradhan (leg spinner with the knack of batting as well), Arun Thapa (all rounder), Paras Lunia (left handed all rounder), Mahboob Alam (fast bowler), Paresh Lohani (all rounder), Sanjam Regmi (off spinner), Bardan Chalise (batsman), Shakti Gauchan (batsman), Manjit Shrestha (all rounder), Lakpa Lama (spinner) and Manoj Katuwal (wicket keeper).

Raju Khadka, Bardan Chalise and Shakti Gauchan had shown tremendous flair during the team's performance in New Zealand. Unlike in the New Zealand game, the Nepalese team do not have to face established countries like Pakistan and England this time. So, the team is hoping to come out a winner.

However, cricket experts say that unless the country starts practicing on Test-matches, Nepalese players will not be able to develop necessary skills to play competent matches in the international arena. As yet, there is a single decent cricket ground in the country. But if the team carries on with its form, there is strong possibility that ACC and ICC will seriously ponder investing in cricket infrastructure in Nepal. The recent statements by the future ICC president also should be seen in this light.