Nepal will give best at ACC U19 Asia Cup, says coach Gauchan

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 27: The 15 players alongside the coaching and management staff of the national men’s U-19 cricket team were bade farewell by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Tuesday. The team is heading to the UAE for the ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup on Wednesday.

The Asia Cup is being played between eight teams, including five full members, two associates and the host, in Dubai and Sharjah. Of the eight teams divided into two groups of four, Nepal is in Group B with Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. The teams in Group A are India, Pakistan, the UAE and Japan.

Nepal faces Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on November 29, December 1 and December 3 respectively. Nepal will be in Sharjah to face Sri Lanka and Afghanistan while in Dubai for the match against Bangladesh.

“We did not have enough time to train or practice. However, the CAN organised a friendly series with the team of Karnataka, India, that allowed us to have the best preparation in a limited time,” said Shakti Gauchan, head coach of the team.

“We were provided with the best analyst and physio alongside other technical staff of the CAN. It is great to see the U-19 team falling under high priority,” Gauchan added.

As per coach Gauchan, the results were not in their hands, however, “We will be giving our best on the pitch.”

Nepal U-19 captain Hemant Dhami also expressed gratitude towards the CAN for providing every possible resource to the team.

Similarly, the players and team staff were suggested not to play under pressure by Paras Khadka, CAN secretary, and Tanka Lal Ghising, member-secretary of the Nepal Sports Council (NSC).

“We have kept the under-age team under the priority radar. The future of the youngsters is directly associated with the CAN. I hope that the team can learn a lot from the tournament alongside the experienced staff of Nepali cricket,” said Khadka.

Similarly, Khadka also thanked the private sector, especially Wai-Wai for sponsoring the national U-19 tournament in Biratnagar recently, citing that Nepali cricket needed every support possible.

Head coach Gauchan had called 18 players for a closed camp for the Asia Cup after the conclusion of the national tournament less than a month ago. After that, the team was reduced to 15 members based on the performances against the team from Karnataka.

“With every new height reached by Nepali cricket, expectation from the sport is also rising. However, we know that things do not happen overnight. Thus, I request the youngsters to play calmly and give their best,” said Ghising.