Sports
CAN clears air over captaincy
As the uncertainty over selection of skipper cleared out at the last moment, Nepal are leaving for United Arab Emirates on Tuesday for a busy tourAdarsha Dhakal
As the uncertainty over selection of skipper cleared out at the last moment, Nepal are leaving for United Arab Emirates on Tuesday for a busy tour that will end with the ICC World Cricket League Championship matches against Papua New Guinea (PNG) on November 16 and 18.
Nepal are scheduled to play a one-day game against a Pakistani team on November 8, while the tour also includes a two-day game against Hong Kong and a 50-over matches each against Danube—a local club of UAE—and Oman. However, the excitement over a busy cricketing schedule was made sour by the cricket governing body which announced the final squad late on Monday—less than 24 hours before Nepal embark on their journey.
A month earlier, division in the cricket governing body was exposed over retaining Paras Khadka as skipper after one faction claimed he was punished under disciplinary grounds and was relieved of his captaincy. But CAN President Deepak Koirala responded by refuting the report. However, CAN kept everyone in dark by not naming the captain when the preliminary selection was over with the conclusion of Super League tournament. CAN finally named the 14-member squad retaining Khadka as captain on Monday, the final day of their list submission deadline to the ICC.
Khadka termed the approach from the cricket governing body as “pathetic”. “We are less than 24 hours from our departure but I don’t know whether I am retained as captain or not and no one is aware about their selection. It was supposed to be done five or six days ago. It should not have gone the way it has been. It’s pathetic,” the skipper said.
“Its not about who will lead the side but its pathetic how the things have turned out,” added Khadka who was hopeful that the team will put on a good show in the UAE. “Preparation-wise we have managed the most in form players. The Super League tournament has brought consistency in our boys. Although we had a short preparation, we will have enough time to get back with our best against PNG.”
Coach Pubudu Dassanayake will be in his last assignment as Nepal coach after he resigned saying the PNG matches will be his last assignment. Dassanayake believed his team will make the most of the opportunities before taking on PNG.
“We are going to have a busy schedule before PNG clash. The Super League tournament had gone well for our players and playing against some good teams will shape our team perfectly for the PNG games,” said Dassanayake adding his team will take to the field in the UAE with a point to prove. “We have really worked hard in mental aspects. We want to play good cricket against quality teams and prove that we belong to a higher level,” said the coach.
Ahmed, Sob new faces
Spinner Irshad Ahmed and seamer Bikram Sob were the new faces as the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Monday named the final 14-member squad that also saw the return of Naresh Budhayer, Mehboob Alam and Subash Khakurel.
The trio was not in the squad for WCLC matches against Scotland in July, while Ahmed and Sob are poised for a dream debut. Other members in the squad headed by Paras Khadka included Gyanendra Malla, Sharad Vesawkar, Basanta Regmi, Sompal Kami, Shakti Gauchan, Anil Mandal, Mahesh Chhetri, Karan KC and Prithu Baskota. (PR)