Team Nepal needs strong batting

Following a very short lull, the national cricket team of Nepal is back in action. They have a frenetic and hectic schedule in front of them.

Currently,the team is in England for the 20 over triangular. Then they proceed to the Netherlands to make their international debut in the one day 50-Over format against the Netherlands,playing  two matches

In the last week of August they depart to Malaysia to participate in the Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Undoubtedly,they have  an exhausting and challenging task at hand.True test awaits them,  and it would be interesting to see how well they stand up to the pressure and challenge.

They will have to show great  character, coupled with mental strength and physical fitness  to get the desired result.

Skipper Paras Khadka  spearheads a team with a blend of both experience and youth,and it is dominated by all -rounders.

Barring a few, the selectors have retained virtually the same squad that played in the African Continent not to long ago.

While Binod Bhandari and Sagar  Pun have been overlooked for the European  tour, wicket keeper batsman Subash Khakurel makes a comeback.

Opener Gyanendra Malla  has been picked despite his  recent poor form.The bowling department  is dominated by spinners with rising star Sandeep Lamichhane as the trump card.

The spin attack appears formidable but in comparison  the pace attack looks rather thin with only two genuine  pacers in medium -right-arm -fast Sompal Kami and right-arm-fast Karan KC in the team.

Nepal  is all set for the single day Twenty20  triangular taking place at the historical Lord’s.This is the first competition, the team is playing  after attending the ODI status.

It may be recalled that Nepal played at Lord’s for the first time against  Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in an exhibition in 2016,which they won by 41 runs.

In the triangular, Team Nepal faces  MMC and the Netherlands. MMC consisting of  current and former internationals and led by  former captain of Sri Lanka Mahela Jayawardene. On paper  they are the favorites to win the competition.

Leave MMC out of the picture,  the clash between Nepal and the Netherlands is of bigger interest and importance. Since  the match has received the status of a full International T20 match,the final outcome of the match is what matters most to both teams.

In the Netherlands, Nepal has a fairly  strong and talented opposition who are currently in a transitional phase rebuilding the team.

Let me remind you at Lord’s, in the 2009 T20 World Cup,the Netherlands completed a famous and dramatic last ball  win over England.

Nepal does stand a good chance against the Netherlands provided they put in a consistent  solid batting performance and tidy fielding.

As part of  the preparation, Nepal played a series of T20 and 50 over warm up matches against local English outfits lacking quality. Nonetheless,they got valuable practice playing against them.

Also they were able to build confidence and acclimatize themselves to the unpredictable  English conditions.

Of the four friendlies,Nepal won three and lost one.Fragile batting still remains a concern for the team..

It was encouraging to see batsmen produce big knocks in friendly matches.  It is imperative that they replicate the warmup successes in the Triangular  competition and beyond to corner glory.

Skipper Khadka, the team’s batting mainstay, must show his magical touch with the bat.  Youngsters Sharad Vesawkar, Anil Kumar Sha Aarif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee have to shine with the bat and live up to their potential.

Vice Captain Malla must get runs to prove critics wrong. Nepal still lacks a reliable opening pair. In form youngster Sha  deserves a chance to open the innings.

There is not much to worry about the bowling.That said,bowlers have to maintain consistency level and bowl their hearts out. Long as Nepal can put the pieces together, I fancy their chances.