Nepal are moulding themselves into the seaming conditions of Namibia as the team prepares for an all-important ICC World Cricket League Division 2 which kicks off from February 8 in the African continent.

The six-team Div 2 sends top two teams for March’s ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. The 10-team World Cup Qualifiers, from where the two teams make it to the 2019 World Cup in England, could be a watershed in Nepali cricket only if the country manages to pass the Division 2 hurdle.

In presence of Test giants West Indies along with new entrants Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe, making it to the World Cup is far cry for Nepal. And all that they can do is grab the opportunities that the Qualifiers provide apart from the World Cup spot. While the Qualifiers provide the three highest-placed Associated One Day International status until 2022, it also opens up the opportunity to compete in the Intercontinental Cup—a four-day cricket tournament between top Associates—and the World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) which is a 50-over home and away tournament.

But to enjoy all the luxuries lying in front of them, Nepal must pass the Division 2 hurdle first. “I think we can get through this tournament because we have played in Division 1 against some of the top Associate teams. If we count other teams since the time we began our World Cricket League ladder through Division 5, we were equally on par. So we have a big opportunity,” said national team skipper Paras Khadka during a training camp at the TU Stadium on Wednesday.

“It’s fair and square for all nations when the tournament begins in February and the team that manages to handle the pressure will come on top,” added Khadka. Along with hosts Namibia, Nepal also have to fend off the challenges from United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kenya, Oman and Canada. The latter two teams had progressed from Division 3 last year and rest of the nations were relegated from WCLC.

The Division 2 tournament itself is going to be a tough nut to crack for Nepali team whose results outside the Asian continent have not been satisfying. Khadka said the team is focused in getting into the situation they could be in while playing in Namibia.

“Our training is currently based on how opponents can target us especially when we play against fast bowlers in the difficult batting conditions in Namibia. We are trying to be in that stage mentally from the current point of time. We know that its not going to be easy because when we last played there, the conditions were not favourable,” added Khadka.

Nepali batsmen have been provided with extra fast bowlers from different academies in Kathmandu to practice at the nets. Currently, 21 players are undergoing training with only 14 making the final cut.

Nepal to fine tune in the UAE

Nepal will fine tune their final preparations for the ICC World Cricket league Division 2 at the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The team had initially planned to travel to South Africa to give the final touch up, before the Division 2 begins in Namibia on February 8. But after their pre-tournament proposal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) couldn’t get materialised, they have decided to fine tune their preparations in the UAE. According to Nepali team head coach Jagat Tamatta, Nepal will play few friendly matches against the local clubs and train at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai. (PR)