OPINION
Follow UsNepal cricket, over the last few months has seen a new chapter. From the possibility of losing the ODI status to now being in with a chance to make it to the World Cup later this year, this unit has come a long way. Since Monty Desai took charge of the team, the batting has drastically improved, there seems to be a spring in every player’s step and they seem to be focused on a common goal - to take Nepal to the top.
In a short span, they have not just managed to make the Qualifiers, but they have also booked their place in the Asia Cup, where they will play both India and Pakistan. They are perhaps the most in-form team in the tournament, but the question is, can they do it all over again?
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The Rhinos were playing in Division Five in 2008 and in a span of 15 years, they are just one hurdle away from playing the World Cup. They almost made it to the Super 10s in the 2014 World T20 following wins over Afghanistan and Hong Kong, but missed out on net run-rate.
Gyanendra Malla and Sompal Kami are the only two survivors from that tournament, and with the experience they have, they will once again be key at the Qualifiers.
With the high Nepal are in, they will hope that it never ends.
Recent form
Nepal have won 13 of the 14 matches, with their only loss coming against the UAE in March. They have since won eight in a row. They have been invincible at home. Call it luck or skill, they got the final set of the CWC League 2 matches at home, and with a vociferous crowd behind them, everything went their way. Once they got their head together, there was no stopping them.
Their fortunes with the ball largely depended on Sandeep Lamichhane, who has picked up 35 wickets at 15.1 since Desai took over, with 30 of these coming in Nepal. Among the batters, Kushal Malla (429 runs at 39) and wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh (426 runs at 35.5) have played a few vital knocks in this period and were also well-supported by their skipper Rohit Paudel (381 runs at 31.75).
Also Read - Excited for the qualifiers, we are on a great journey: Aasif Sheikh
Speaking of Paudel, he clearly seems to have the entire team's support. His equation with Desai too has played a crucial role. While Nepal have seen coaches like Manoj Prabhakar, Dav Whatmore and Pubudu Dassanayake bailed at the slightest sight of trouble, Desai took this as an opportunity and with his cool and calm demeanour has resurrected the fortunes of Nepal Cricket like no other.
The ICC mentions, Gulsan Jha as the player to watch out for in the tournament. He is a serious prospect for Nepal. Having made his debut for Nepal at the age of 15, Gulshan is slowly proving to be a handy all-rounder. This tournament could be a massive learning curve for the teenager.
Who do they face in the Qualifiers?
Nepal made it to the Qualifiers by finishing third in the ICC CWC League 2, winning 19 of their 36 matches in the tournament. They finished with 40 points, four behind second-placed Oman and 10 behind champions Scotland.
In Group A, they will be up against three teams - Zimbabwe, West Indies and the Netherlands - who have been part of the ODI Super League. Their first game against Zimbabwe on June 18, which believe it or not, will be their first-ever ODI against a full-member side.
They will also be playing their first game at this level against the US and West Indies as well. They have played against the Dutch, but that came all the way back in 2018, when the sides' look were very different.
What are their chances?
Nepal may have done exceedingly well to earn their place in the Qualifiers, but it would be a surprise if they progress out of this tough group. They have not made a positive start on the tour, given that they could not defend 275 in their first warm-up game against the UAE. It will not be harsh to say that any win for Nepal in the competition would certainly be an upset.
Nepal may not have scaled Mount Everest, but they can certainly see the top from where they are. While they may have done the hard yards to get here, regardless of what they do in the tournament, they can be proud of what they have achieved in a short space of time. The seeds sowed a long time ago are finally bearing fruit.
Nepal squad for CWC Qualifiers: Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Gyanendra Malla, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Bhim Sharki, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish JC, Arjun Saud, Kishor Mahato.
