Nepal takes Emerging Teams as Asia Cup preparation

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 11: Nepali National Cricket Team left for Sri Lanka on Monday to participate in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023.

Nepal will play its first match against Pakistan A on July 14 at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground. They will then face India A at R Premadasa Stadium on July 17 and the United Arab Emirates A at the P Sara Oval in Colombo on July 19.

Nepal is taking the tournament as preparation for the Asia Cup. Coach Monty Desai said the tournament is a build-up for the Asia Cup. We have taken it as good exposure and will be playing to win some matches in the Emerging Cup.” Nepal will be playing against Test sides India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup. 

“We should have a winning mentality as the A side of Test nations are good and they will come with good strategies in the tournament,” Desai added. "Moreover, we have gained the experience of playing against Test sides during the World Cup Qualifiers. We will be looking to utilize those experiences in the Emerging Cup.”  

Echoing his coach Desai, Captain Rohit Paudel said the Emerging Teams is a good platform for Nepal to prepare for the continental tournament. “We have expected good games against India A and Pakistan A. Let’s hope the tournament will be good preparation for the Asia Cup.” 

Surya Tamang, Sandeep Jora, Shyam Dhakal and Dev Khanal made a comeback in the national squad skippered by Rohit Paudel. 

Meanwhile, Off-spin all-rounder Pawan Sarraf will replace lower-order batter Aarif Sheikh in the squad. After Aarif pulled out from the squad due to personal reasons, CAN included Pawan in the team.  

Pawan has returned to the team after the Kenya tour. He has played eight ODI and 17 T20I matches. 

Nepal also rested Pace bowler Karan KC and Gyanendra Malla for the Emerging Teams Asia Cup. Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Singh Airee are out of the squad for their commitment to the franchise league Global T20 Canada. 

Before embarking on their tour to Sri Lanka, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) bid farewell to the national team. Minister for Youth and Sports Dig Bahadur Limbu and CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand extended their best wishes to the players. 

Squad: Rohit Paudel, Asif Sheikh, Arjun Saud, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Pawan Sarraf, Dev Khanal, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Bhim Sarki, Shyam Dhakal, Pratish GC, Lalit Rajbanshi, Kishore Mahato, Sundeep Jora and Surya Tamang.