Team Nepal need to be totally focused

Team Nepal   has   got off to a dream start in the ICC Twenty20 qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates. Two successive wins   make look Coach Pubudu Dassanayake boys convincing. We could not have asked   for more.

This is an ideal start for Nepal, hoping   to   clinch   a spot in   the   final   round   of the competition. At the moment, they remain well-perched and are with a chance to write themselves into the history books.

I reckon I am being overly optimistic here. There is nothing wrong with being an optimist. I   would like to see my hopes   translate into reality.

Going by the results so far, the general consensus is that Nepal   is playing to its potential. They registered contrasting   wins against Denmark and Kenya.

The victory over Denmark was impressive, thanks largely to   bowlers. They put in a superb performance to restrict the opposition to a paltry 79 runs.

Debutant Jitendra Mukhiya with two crucial wickets and a hand in the run out justified his selection. With three wickets Sagar Pun was pick of the bowlers.

However, the batters almost made a hash of the opportunity before Paras Khadka played a captain’s knock with the help of Subash Khakurel’s handy innings to assure victory for the team.

Although the bowlers outshone the batters, skipper Khadka’s brilliant all round performance was the highlight. Prior to the match, the batting department needed to come out blazing but looked a pale shadow of their former selves.

Without a   question specialist batsmen   have   to   strike form in order to sustain success in the upcoming matches. They have to step   up   to take pressure off   Khadka and a few others.

The match against a formidable Kenya saw Nepal put in a   vastly improved batting performance on a pitch that produced tons of runs. The successful run chase revolved around captain Khadka, Khakurel, Malla and Vesawkar knocks.

Khadka and Khakurel  batted diligently , scoring  54 runs a piece but it was Vesawkar”s aggressive batting that  stole the thunder. Needing 20 runs off 8 balls he hammered   three lofty sixes to seal an exciting  victory.

Young Mukhiya  continued  with his tidy performance by picking up two wickets. All in all, it was  the steady batting that ensured Nepal the  crucial win.  It has been so   far   so   good to this point for the team.

That having been said, the fact of the matter  is ,  it is a still a long way to go  for Team Nepal before a clear picture emerges.

It is imperative   for them   to maintain and leverage   this   winning momentum going into  the  match  against Scotland.  The upcoming matches are tough and   decisive for the team’s qualification to the final round.

They must remain totally focused, composed , committed to excellence  and  gear up both mentally and physically  for the challenge. Certainly, they have put themselves   in the driver’s seat and  all the good work should not go to waste.

Players must learn from their mistakes and   rise to the occasion when it matters most. Also they   have to show more maturity in the batting and bowling departments.   

For Team Nepal, this  is  a great opportunity to corner glory like we have  never seen before. Go for it. You can do it.