ICC World Cricket League Division 4 Tournament kicks off as Nepal takes on the known opponent Singpore tomorrow at Selangor Turf Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
After a short preparation in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nepal would be looking for a good start while Singapore, on the other hand would never forget their unfortunate side, when they had to limit themselves in Division 5 as crowd interruption led Nepal to qualify for the Division 4 in Kathmandu in 2010.
In recent two matches Nepal have played with Singapore, they have produced both wins.
In ICC World Cricket League Division 5, 2010 match played in Engineering Ground, Pulchowk, Nepal defeated Singapore by 16 runs. Nepal batting first scored 180 runs for 9 wickets. In reply, Singapore was bowled out for paltry 164 runs. Basanta Regmi had scored 54 runs off 61 balls while Sajam Regmi had picked up 4 wickets conceding 28 runs.
In the last match of the group stage against USA, crowd’s interruption helped Nepal to qualify to the division 4 with the better run rate. Nepal survived with a 0.004 difference in the net run rate. Later, Nepal won the finals against USA by 5 wickets.
Two months later in ACC Trophy Elite, Nepal defeated Singapore by 7 wickets. Man of the match Mahesh Chhetri and Anil Mandal each scoring 87 and 83 made Nepal’s chase easier following the target of 217 runs.
Nepal however, had the bitter time when they lost to Tanzania chasing the target of 118 runs in the Division 4 Tournament. Nepal were bowled out for 108 runs. Nepal later defeated Tanzania by 10 wickets in third place play off match and had to satisfy at the third position after United States and Italy got promoted to Division III.
Though, Nepal had a poor show in the tournament, Nepal’s Basanta Regmi was the man taking most wickets with 14 while Amrit Bhattarai stood second with 12 wickets.
Nepal have to keep this in mind that Nepal’s last 50 over match was against Tanzania in Division 4, about two years ago. Having no international 50 overs matches played since two years, Nepal would have some difficulties in adjusting to the format. However, Nepal coach and captain are confident that they would play as per the 50 over style.
Nepali players however had some good experience after the seventh place finish off in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers last year. Nepal’s Shakti Gauchan was invited for a trial to IPL Franchise Rajasthan Royals and had some practice, Amrit Bhattarai and Chandra Saud played the Sri Lanka U-23 Premier League, skipper Paras Khadka played for Ontario Cricket Acadmey & Club in Canada, Sharad Vesawkar, Anil Mandal and Gyanendra Malla had a week long batting camp at Bangalore. Nepal would be expecting a lot from these players.
Subash Khakurel is in good form from the U19 World Cup. Rahul vishwakarma is always a fresh and an important player for Nepal.
Most of these players had a short preparation and played some matches at Sri Lanka, where they won two of the matches, lost one and another one was washed out due to rain.
In the other hand, Singapore is the champion of the Division 5 tournament which they hosted earlier this year. And will be trying to keep their winning momentum.
We hope our players will play to their best. The match will be played at Selangor Turf Club and the game starts at 10:30 AM local time, 08:15 AM Nepali Time, 02:30 AM GMT.
Cricnepal’s Playing XI: Subash Khakurel, Anil Mandal, Sharad vesawkar, Gyanendra Malla, Paras Khadka, Shakti Gauchan, Pradeep Airee, Basanta Regmi, Binod Das, Chandra Saud and Sanjam Regmi.
Pick yours XI from Paras Khadka, Pradeep Airee, Prithu Baskota, Amrit Bhattari, Binod Das, Shakti Gauchan, Subash Khakurel, Gyanendra Malla, Anil Mandal, Basant Regmi, Sanjam Regmi, Chandra Sawad, Sharad Vesawkar, Rahul Vishwakarma.
