Sports
Nepal take aim at Twenty20 series
After securing a historic One-Day International (ODI) series win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, Nepal look to swiftly change gears for the shorter version of the game when they take on the hosts in three-match Twenty20 International series starting here on Thursday.Adarsha Dhakal
After securing a historic One-Day International (ODI) series win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, Nepal look to swiftly change gears for the shorter version of the game when they take on the hosts in three-match Twenty20 International series starting here on Thursday.
Against the depleted hosts who are without three of their key players including skipper Rohan Mustafa due to suspension, Nepal made the most of the opportunity count by winning the ODI series 2-1. Now they would be eager to go one better by completing the ODI-T20 sweep. Nepal can take confidence from the fact that they have been mostly busy playing domestic franchise-based T20 cricket. For skipper Paras Khadka the Twenty20 series was all about proper adaptation. “It all depends on how well we adapt to the conditions. The conditions here are slightly different from what were used to back home. Each of us need to adapt to certain situation here. This is an international cricket and the pressure will be bigger than the domestic leagues,” Khadka said after a four-hour training session at the ICC Academy Oval. “We are well prepared and the level of confidence has also soared up in the team. I hope the boys will be able to turn that confidence into performance,” added Khadka.
The Nepali team is likely to ring in few changes considering a change of format with Gyanendra Malla likely to open the innings with Pradeep Airee. Following the arrival of Indian batting consultant Umesh Patwal, Binod Bhandari has been promoted as an opener for 50-over format and as a finisher in the shorter version of the game.
The middle order will remain the same with Khadka coming in at No 3 followed by Dipendra Singh Airee. Sandeep Jora batted with a positive intent to make handy contribution in the third ODI with 19 runs and appears set to bat after Airee. The No 6 and 7 spots look tight for selection with Binod Bhandari, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Aarif Sheikh and Pawan Sarraf posing serious claims. Fast bowling allrounders Sompal Kami and Karan KC along with leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will remain the unanimous picks. Veteran left-arm spinner Basanta Regmi is fit again and if he rejoins the squad, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi has to make way for him.
Thursday’s game will be Nepal’s first Twenty20 clash in six years against the UAE having previously played against them in the 2013 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers. Nepal had won that match by five wickets. Both the teams participated in the 2015 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers but never crossed swords.
The T20 International is also Nepal’s first in four years. They were scheduled to play the Netherlands in a Triangular Twenty20 Series at the Lord’s in July last year but the match was washed out due to rain. Nepal’s previous Twenty20 International came four years ago when they played Papua New Guinea in the 2015 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers in Ireland and Scotland.
Batting consultant Patwal said there is eagerness in his boys for the series. “The preparation has been pretty good for us. The boys are quite eager. After the ODI series victory, they want to repeat it in the T20I as well,” said Patwal adding the series carries a huge significance for the youngsters. “The key for us is that the youngsters will get experience of playing a top team. UAE are strong opponents and they have specialist cricketers for this format. Playing Twenty20 regularly back home is going to be an advantage for us. But they have to adjusted with the wickets here. Facing new bowlers here would be a tough challenge,” Patwal said.