Nepali national cricket team skipper Paras Khadka on Monday called victory over the hosts Netherlands in the maiden One Day International (ODI) series a new landmark.

The Nepali cricket team arrived in Kathmandu on Monday after a two-match ODI series which ended in a 1-1 draw at the VRA Grounds in Amstelveen on August 3. Nepal lost the first match by 55 runs but beat the Dutch by one run in the last over thriller. It was the first ODI series Nepal had played after securing the status for four years in March. “It was a landmark achievement to win first ODI match and the significance of the series will be felt in future,” said Khadka. “We hope to get more wins in more high level matches.”

Chasing the average target of 190 runs in the first match, Nepal were bowled out for 135 runs in 41.5 overs. Openers Gyanendra Malla (51) and Anil Kumar Shah (21) had provided Nepal a decent start putting on 58 runs for the first wicket. But the middle order failed to capitalise on that start and lost the match from what appeared a very good winning position. “We got the start we were looking but we failed to keep the momentum in the first match. At this level we need to perform the whole day,” said Khadka.   

Khadka also said that the six-team Asia Cup Qualifiers, starting from August 29 to September 6 in Malaysia, will be a great opportunity for Nepal to play against the cricketing giants in the 50-over match. The qualifiers will see Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, the UAE and Nepal vie for the Asia Cup finals. The winners will be pitted along with India and Pakistan in the Group ‘A’.  The Group ‘B’ consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The Asia Cup is scheduled for September 15 to 28 in the UAE. “Although there is only one berth available for Asia Cup, it will provide a good opportunity to play against established orders like India and Pakistan provided we qualify,” said Khadka who foresees tough completion in the Qualifiers. “Though Hong Kong and UAE appear to be strong in the paper, other teams are also equally good. Every team could challenge each other in the Asian conditions,” he said.

Coach Jagat Tamatta said that it was the everyone’s dream to play against India and Pakistan and the team was working to fulfil that dream. “We will start a training camp after a few days rest. The current team is very balanced one,” said Tamatta. “If provided a good exposure, this team has potential to scale even greater heights.”