Newly appointed Coach Stuart Law sets sights on Nepal’s World Cup qualification

By Pramod Joshi,Kathmandu, Apr. 27: Veteran Australian coach Stuart Law officially assumed his role as Nepal’s head coach on Saturday. Appointed for a two-year term, he aims to steer Nepal’s cricket team in a fresh direction. Law succeeds Monty Desai, whose impressive tenure set a strong foundation. Now, expectations are high for Law to elevate Nepali cricket to new heights.

Almost a month after his appointment, Law arrived in Nepal on Friday night. He made his first public appearance on Saturday morning, interacting with local media at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground.

Speaking to the press, Law said his primary goal, along with Nepali cricket's, is to qualify for the World Cup. “I hate losing. We have World Cup qualifiers later this year, and that’s our big target. Playing in a World Cup is special, and I want the players to dream big,” he said.

Law understands the intense competition for the World Cup. “I have seen it up close. I took West Indies to the 2019 World Cup qualifiers, and it was brutal. One loss could end your journey,” he recalled.

Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic. “I want to instill confidence in players and board members. It may take time, but our ultimate goal is qualification,” he affirmed.

Acknowledging the road ahead, Law said his focus is on building a strong squad. “There is immense talent in Nepal. If we create the right structures within and beyond the team, we can develop a steady pipeline of players for the national side,” he explained.

With Law now in charge, Nepal’s core training camp has begun at Upper and Lower Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu. The camp will be used to finalize the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers and the World Cup League 2.

According to Law, the camp will be crucial for assessing players’ capabilities. Instead of focusing only on net sessions, he prioritizes match situations to evaluate players’ skills and mental toughness. “Talent alone doesn’t win matches. Game awareness and mindset are crucial,” he emphasized.

Law is confident about Nepal’s potential. “There’s no reason Nepal can’t play in the World Cup. We have 53 players showcasing their skills over the next few days in the core camp. From them, we will build a strong squad that includes senior players and the next generation,” he said.

“We are committed to assembling a competitive squad to ensure Nepali cricket thrives for years to come,” he added.

When asked why he chose Nepal, Law highlighted his passion for development. “I have worked with Test teams, but I prefer development. This is a great opportunity. Associate teams have potential, and I hope to bring valuable expertise,” he explained.

Law said he was impressed by Nepal’s talent and ambition, which motivated him to take on this challenge. “This is my first time in Nepal. I believe challenges help you grow, and cricket is a game of continuous learning,” he noted.

Describing his coaching style, Law shared that he prefers a relaxed approach. “I don’t like rigid structures or whiteboards. I want players to think for themselves on the field. My role is to guide them off the field with support and encouragement,” he stated.

“I don’t want them to play the way I want. My job is to guide them so they play their natural game with understanding and strategy,” he said.

Ahead of Nepal’s Scotland tour, Law wants players to get used to grassy pitches. “They fear it too much. We need to prepare accordingly,” he explained.

Law hinted at minor adjustments in the team setup for ODI and T20 formats. “There won’t be major changes. Players will have defined roles and train accordingly. The approach for each format will vary slightly, but the core game plan will remain,” he concluded.

He acknowledged Nepal’s long-term ambition of Test cricket, stressing the need for strong foundations. “We need structures to sustain talent development. The journey to Test cricket will take time, but we must build a system to support growth,” he added.