Nepal aim to win ACC Premier Cup

By Anjan Khadka,Kathmandu, Apr. 18: National cricket Captain Rohit Paudel expressed his confidence in winning the title of ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2023. 

Nepal will start the Premier Cup campaign by taking on Malaysia at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on Monday. 

Addressing the media on Monday, Captain Paudel said Nepal’s main aim is winning the title of the ACC Premier Cup at home.

"The performance at the ICC Men’s World Cricket League-2 has boosted the morale of Team Nepal. Besides, we have a huge advantage playing on home soil ground.”

Paudel said winning the tournament will provide Nepal with the chance to play with Test nations. “The tournament is important for us because we have not played against Test nations.”

"We will get an opportunity to play against test-playing nations if we can win the title. We are hopeful to qualify for the Asia Cup.”

After the extraordinary performance during the home series of World Cricket League-2, fans have big expectations for the Nepali team. “There is a huge expectation on us. We are not under pressure. We have well-prepared for the challenge." 

"As the target of all team members is common, every player will give their hundred per cent in the tournament. Moreover, we are trying to improve our weakness in death-over bowling. We are focusing on it.”

He believes all the teams that arrived in Kathmandu for the event are strong. “All the participating teams are strong. Playing them will be a tough task. We are taking the team very seriously. We want to start the tournament with a win. We will be looking to beat Malaysia in the opener.” 

Head coach Monty Desai also echoes Captain Paudel as Nepal’s main target is to lift the Premier Cup.

"We will enter the ground to win the title. Playing on the home ground is a big advantage for us. Players are well-known about the ground and its conditions. We are backed by home supporters too," Coach Desai said.

"The morale of the players is high. The preparation for the Cup has also been perfect. Every member of the team knows their role in the match. Nepali fans have huge expectations from us. We will do our best in the tournament," Coach Desai added.

“Every participating team’s goal is to win the title. All the participating teams are good. So the battle against them will not be an easy one. Players are mentally ready and are very much excited for the tournament," Coach Desai added.

The Premier Cup 2023 starts on Tuesday at TU Cricket Ground and Mulpani Cricket Ground.

Along with Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore and Bahrain are contesting in the tournament.

Host Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have been drawn into Group A. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore and Bahrain are drawn into Group B.

Meanwhile, Mulpani Cricket Ground will be hosting its first international match on Tuesday when Hong Kong meet Singapore. There are two cricket grounds at Mulpani-one owned by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and the other owned by the National Sports Council. 

The ground owned by the CAN will be hosting 11 out of 24 matches of the event. Ten matches of the group stage and one semi-final match will be held there. 

Nepal will be playing its first international match at Mulpani against Saudi Arabia on April 24. 

Squad: Rohit Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Gyanendra Malla, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Bhim Sharki, Pratish GC and Lalit Rajbanshi.