National 11 (Spotlight Weekly)

Big Blow

The ICC's decision to cancel the world cup-qualifying matches could affect the prospects of Nepalese team

By A CORRESPONDENT

Last week, the meeting of International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to suspend the world cup-qualifying matches to be held in USA and Ireland later this year. The decision is expected hit hard on countries like Nepal, which were preparing hard to come out on top in those matches.

Last year Nepal had displayed impressive form with remarkable performances in Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand, 4th Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournament in Singapore and Under 15 Asia Cup in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"The ICC, recognizing the gratifying performance by Nepal had even increased its annual assistance to Nepal from 60,000 US dollars to 80,000 US dollars," said a senior official at the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

Sri Lankan coach Roy Dias has been saying that Nepalese youngsters can clinch a berth in the 2007 World Cup tournament to be held in West Indies, if they continue to improve in the current pace.

However, the latest ICC decision comes as a bolt from the blue. "We had identified about 35 youngsters and had been training them targeting the qualifying matches in the USA and Ireland. But this latest decision has thrown confusion," said the CAN official.

The ICC is expected to sit for another meeting in this regard in June in London. Cricket officials are hoping that the meeting will end the confusion.

Recently, team from the Marylebone Cricket club (MCC), the oldest cricket club in the world, came to Kathmandu and played four matches against the local team. "The matches with MCC had helped a great deal in improving our performance. It was a rare experience," said a cricket player. Among the four matches, the visitors lost only one.

The Nepalese cricket team was further encouraged by impressive performances by minnows like Kenya, Canada and Holland in the recent World Cup Cricket. The Kenyan team even reached the semi finals. "The tournament showed that even underdogs can perform well if they play in a disciplined manner," said the player.

Past matches have shown that while Nepalese bowlers have been up to the mark, batsmen have not been able to deliver. Analysts say that Nepal needs to play test matches to improve its batting. "Without playing test matches we cannot improve our batting. The CAN is planning to introduce two-day matches initially to polish the batting of our players," said Binaya Raj Pandey, general secretary of CAN.

South Asia is regarded as powerhouse of world cricket. Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, each has won the world cup once. Bangladesh is already included in the test-playing nations. Nepal, however, is yet to make its mark.