Nepal ready to give their best in Scotland

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 15: Nepal's national cricket team vice-captain, Dipendra Singh Airee, said the team will give their best at the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 Triangular Series in Scotland. Nepal will play their fourth cycle of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 in Scotland from June 2 to 12. Before facing hosts Scotland and the Netherlands in the triangular series, the team will travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for a training camp.

Airee said the team's preparation has been strong. He expressed optimism about performing well in Scotland during a farewell event held by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) at Mulpani, Kathmandu, on Wednesday morning. "Our practice sessions have been good since the new coach joined us. The pitch in Scotland is a bit challenging, but we will give our best," he stated.

The final national team squad was selected from the core camp, where 52 players were split into four teams and competed in a double round-robin league.

Speaking to the media, assistant coach Gyanendra Malla shared the team's determination to secure positive results. "We are not in a strong position at the moment, but our goal is to improve in Scotland. Our preparations have gone well," he said.

Nepal is currently at the bottom of the WCL 2 table, which includes eight teams. They have won only two matches out of 12 in League 2.

The Netherlands tops the table with 26 points from 12 wins and five losses. The US is in second place with 22 points, while Canada is third with 20 points. Nepal’s head coach, Stuart Law, has already travelled to England due to personal reasons. The UK tour will be the first assignment for newly appointed head coach. 

Meanwhile, Captain Rohit Paudel missed the farewell event as he is attending exams. Law will join the squad in England, while Paudel will join two days later, said CAN secretary Paras Khadka.

Nepal will play one-day matches against Cardiff University, Marylebone Cricket Club, and Glamorgan during their stay in the UK. They will also play two Twenty20 matches against Gloucestershire.

In Scotland, Nepal will play two warm-up matches against Scotland A on May 29 and May 31. Their first League 2 match will be against the Scotland on June 2. They will play Netherlands on June 4. The second matches against  Scotland and the Netherlands are scheduled for June 8 and June 10 respectively.

After the WCL-2 series, Nepal will participate in the T20I Tri-Series starting June 15 in Scotland. Nepal, Scotland, and the Netherlands will play twice against each other in the series.