Improved training crucial for Nepali U-19 women cricketers

Kathmandu, Nov. 16: Amidst the known high-level officials of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and National Sports Council (NSC), senior women cricketers of Nepal were present at Tribhuvan International Airport, Thursday night, to welcome the U-19 women’s team that returned from the UAE after qualifying for the Asia Cup and World Cup.

Several senior players, including captain Indu Barma, reached the airport to congratulate the youngsters, as they knew how difficult it was to claim the feat. 

Nepal, at a rate to pass the hosts on net run rate, defeated the UAE in the final league match of the Asian Qualifiers in Dubai on November 13 to enter the Asia Cup and World Cup as the final, 6th and 16th, participant in the tournaments taking place in December 2024 and January 2025, both in Malaysia, respectively.

It was a landmark win against the UAE, after losing the first game of the Qualifiers on November 5, not only because Nepal qualified for two major global cricketing events but also proved that the new generation was doing better despite insufficient support from the concerned authorities.

Two years ago, during the Asian Qualifiers for the 2023 ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup, on June 4, 2022, Nepal was bundled out for 8 runs by the UAE and chased it in seven balls with 10 wickets in hand. It was a shameful win that questioned the investment received by the young girls in Nepal.

While the facilities have not improved much in the last two years, Nepali girls ousted the team trained under the standard facilities of the UAE.

Now, the Nepali team will be seeking intensified support for at least a month as they will face two major cricket heavyweights, India and Pakistan, in the Asia Cup in December. Nepal faces Pakistan and India on December 16 and 17 respectively.

Moreover, Nepal faces Bangladesh, Scotland and Australia in the group stage of the World Cup on 18, 20 and 22 of January 2025. 

1 six for Nepal 

Nepal topped the table with 10 points from five wins in six matches during the recent Asian Qualifiers for the Asia Cup and World Cup. The UAE also had 10 points from five wins but Nepal was better on net run rate. The two teams faced the only defeat of the Qualifiers against each other while dominating Kuwait and Thailand.

However, throughout the 12 qualifier matches between four teams, only 12 sixes were hit by the players. Of the 12 sixes, the UAE’s Rinitha Rajith scored half (6 sixes), Kuwait’s Zeefa Jilani hit four and Thailand’s Arrikan Phuengkho smashed one. The remaining one was scored by Nepal’s skipper and highest run scorer Puja Mahato, also the second-most wicket-taker for Nepal. 

Similarly, Nepal’s Mahato was the only player to hit a century in the competition: 130 off 69 vs Kuwait. 

On the other hand, Nepali batters scored 65 fours throughout the six matches they played in the Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Nepali bowlers did not concede a six.

It is not that sixes and fours alone win you matches, however, the boundaries are crucial. For instance, the 16 best teams in the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup-2023 could only smash 81 sixes while they hit 942 fours throughout the tournament.

Nevertheless, the Nepali side would need more training with bat and ball if the government intended the players to defeat the U-19 side of Full Members of the International Cricket Council. Otherwise, the players are always ready to give their best during every game.

Talking to The Rising Nepal, CAN’s secretary Paras Khadka said that the association was proud of the achievement of the U19 women’s team. “We will provide everything we have to the team and prepare them for the Asia Cup and World Cup,” Khakda said.

Meanwhile, the teams participating in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) have announced a cash prize of Rs. 1,000,000 for the U19 cricket team. The eight NPL teams collectively made this announcement on Friday. Additionally, the administrative body of Nepal cricket revealed on Thursday that each player of the U19 team will receive a cash prize of Rs. 250,000.