Pratish GC has been included in the national team for the very first time. The left-arm medium pacer will travel to UAE with the national squad for the Tri-Series against UAE and PNG under CWC League 2.
Pratish and Mausam Dhakal got the maiden call-up. Both were the reserve players in the recently concluded Tri-Series against Scotland and Namibia.
Pratish was able to catch everyone’s eye after his standout performance in the inaugural edition of the Nepal T20 League. He not only bowled well but was also impressive with the power hitting down the order. The 18 years old picked up five wickets and scored 89 runs with a healthy strike rate of 178, strucking ten sixes.
Talking to Cricnepal after the call-up, Pratish thanked his parents for their contribution. “Really delighted! Feels nice to represent the country. Would like to dedicate this to my parents. Especially my mom, for sacrificing her job to take me to cricket academy”, He added.
Pratish remembers how his mom helped her groom as a cricketer. “It all started with National Cricket Academy (NCA), My first academy. From that moment I dreamt of playing for Nepal. Later I joined Kathmandu Cricket Training Centre (KCTC), and sometimes Gyanaendra Malla used to train us. As a kid, it was a cherishing moment to be trained by him. My mom used to take me to the academy on a scooter and then to school and everywhere. Later I started a daily practice at Himalayan Cricket Academy (HCA), which helped me to improve a lot”, Pratish opened up.
Pratish GC was part of Nepal’s U-16 team that were crowned as the champions of the ACC U-16 Eastern Region tournament in Thailand in 2017. He has also represented the Nepal U-19 team. Cricnepal’s correspondent Sandip Poudel talked with him after his inclusion in the national team:
Q. Your first call-up on the national side. How’s the feeling?
A. Absolutely delighted! Feels really nice. I would like to dedicate this to my mom and dad. Especially my mom for sacrificing jobs to take me academy.
Q. You knew it was coming one day right? But were you aware of such a quick call-up?
A. I was not thinking anything like that, I was just following the process. In case of a call-up, it’s nice if not no worries, I’ll be doing my hard work and try to improve.
Q. There are very few left-arm pacers in Nepal. So, is it a great opportunity for you to cement your place in the team?
A. Yes indeed. If we see in this CWC League 2 left arm pacers are doing great and there is no one in the Nepal team. so, it of course is a huge opportunity. Also, Sompal Dai and Karan Dai are playing for Nepal for 8-9 years regularly so it’s a great oportunity to learn from them as well.
Q. You can hit the ball hard and clean. Is it the extra factor that attracted the coach and selectors?
A. Maybe, I don’t know. I played a few blistering innings in Nepal T20 and domestic cricket But haven’t had the chance to show more.
Q. You are questioned about a bit slow pace. Anything about that?
A. I am working on it as well. It is a process and takes time.
Q. Your Cricketing Idol?
A. Paras Dai [Khadka].
Nepal team will fly to UAE on Saturday to play the second Tri-Series against UAE and PNG under CWC League 2. Rohit Paudel’s side will kick off the series on 27th February, playing against PNG. After a sensational home Tri-Series Nepal are eyeing third position to grab a direct spot in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Namibia are in the third position with 37 points from 35 points. UAE has 29 points from 27 matches, whereas Nepal has 26 points from 28 matches. Champions Scotland and Oman are already qualified for the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
Nepal’s Squad:
Rohit Poudel (captain), Dipendra Singh Airee, Gyanendra Malla, Asif Sheikh, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Bhim Sarki, Sandeep Jora, Kushal Malla, Shyam (Mausam) Dhakal, Gulshan Jha, Arif Sheikh, and Pratish GC
