Nepali national cricket team, which is scheduled to play the Netherlands in ICC World Cricket League Championship in a fortnight, is currently going through training sessions in TU Ground here in Kathmandu. in pictures
The preparation sessions, monitored by the Nepali team coach Jagat Tamata, is mainly covering the fitness issues as well as the net sessions for the players. Both the ground and indoor facilities are being utilized for the specific part of the sessions. Tamata will lead the team as a coach on the tour and unlike the UK tour, former coach Pubudu Dasanayke’s presence as consultant coach seems very unlikely.
All 15 members of the Nepali national team which toured United Kingdom are part of the sessions. Apart from that Aarif Sheikh, Sunil Dhamala, Avinash Karn, Lalit Singh Bhandari and Siddhant Lohni are also undergoing the sessions. Naresh Budhayer and Sushan Bhari were not considered for the sessions as they are currently playing club cricket in Canada and UK respectively. The team is expected to be announced in a couple of days before leaving for the Netherlands tour on 5th or 6th of August.
Nepal will play Netherlands in two 50 over matches on 13th and 15th of August in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Nepal is currently sixth in the standings and the matches against the Dutch side could prove to be crucial on deciding where Nepal stands at the end of the championship. Nepal need to finish on top four to make a direct entry to the ICC World Cup Qualifiers to be held in 2018.