Kathmandu
Nepal Women Team skipper Rubina Chhetri has said that her team is ready to bring the ACC Women’s Premier Trophy to Nepal on the eve of Team’s Departure for the tournament. ACC Premier Trophy the first forty over Women’s Tournament organized by ACC. The tournament hosted by tournament favorites Thailand is scheduled to start on 11th Feb.
“The preparation for the tournament has been exceptional. This probably is the most comprehensive tournament preparation we have ever had.” ~Rubina Chhetri
“The preparation for the tournament has been exceptional. This probably is the most comprehensive tournament preparation we have ever had.” said Rubina to Cricnepal when inquired about the homework for the event. “Provided we play as we have practiced I think we can definitely win this tournament”, added Rubina with utmost confidence.
Coach of Women’s National Team Umesh Upadhyay echoed Rubina’s confident words when asked about Nepal’s chances. “Thailand and China are strong teams but we are equally strong if not more” pointed out the Region No.2 coach.”We are there to win” he added.
Bowling has been Nepal Women Cricket’s Achilles heels for as long as Women Cricket existed. The abnormally towering number of extras bowled in this year’s National Women’s Tournament is proof of the same. But with Umesh in command many expect the issue to be checked. Umesh’s Region No.2 have always been an exceptional bowling unit. In 2010 Avinash Karn became the first and only bowler to take 10 wickets in domestic Cricket-Umesh was Birgunj’s coach then. Avinash had credited Umesh for his miraculous “Perfect 10”.
The 40 over format could be another big hurdle for Nepal. Previously the ACC Women’s Championship used to be of just 25 over-adapting to longer format requires more skills. It will also be real test of player’s fitness. But the coach thinks this would be no big issue. “We have been practicing for the longer format for quite a while and the girls have gelled into the longer format. The girls if required can even play 50 over matches” said Umesh.
Cricket Association of Nepal also organized a farewell program for the Women National Team at NSC building.
Nepal will open the tournament with Iran on 11th Feb.
Nepal’s major hurdle for the tournament will be Thailand, who were the winners of ACC Women’s Championships 2013 where Nepal finished third. Thailand then played ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifiers in 2013 finished as shield winners(5th)- defeating tournament favorites Netherlands in the group stage and Zimbawe on their way!
China will also go in the tournament in a high. They have defeated Nepal convincingly in the previous encounters.
Even Hong Kong which finished second in the ACC Women’s T20 Championship two years ago could be handful for Nepal.
Nepal Squad
Rubina Chhetri(Captain),Mamta Thapa(Vice Captain/WK), Sonu Khadka, Rekha Rawal, Sobha Aale, Mamta Chaudhary, Saraswoti Chaudhary, Kabita Gautam, Neera Rajopadhyay,Sarita Magar Sita Rana Magar Kajal Shrestha Karuna Bhandari. Trishna Singh
Tournament Facts:
Participating Teams-6(Nepal, Bhutan, Iran, Thailand, Hong Kong, China)
Venue: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Grounds:Gymkhana, Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club(RGCC), Prem Oval
Format: League, 40 over a side
Tournament Fixtures
DATE | FIXTURE | VENUE |
11-Feb | Iran vs. Nepal | Gymkhana |
Bhutan vs. HongKong | Prem Oval | |
12-Feb | Thailand vs. Bhutan | Gymkhana |
China vs. Hongkong | RGCC | |
13-Feb | Thailand vs. Nepal | RGCC |
China vs. Iran | Prem Oval | |
14-Feb | Hong Kong v Iran | RGCC |
Bhutan vs. Nepal | Gymkhana | |
15-Feb | Thailand vs. Hong Kong | RGCC |
Bhutan vs. China | Prem Oval | |
16-Feb | China vs. Nepal | Gymkhana |
Thailand vs. Iran | Prem Oval | |
17-Feb | Bhutan vs. Iran | RGCC |
Hong Kong vs. Nepal | Prem Oval | |
18-Feb | Thailand vs. China | RGCC |