Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of Nepal’s opening match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 on Wednesday, Nepal captain Rohit Paudel expressed his belief that his team will play competitive cricket.
“Pakistan is a good team with whom we want to play competitive cricket,” Paudel said. “We deserve it, that’s why we’re here.”
“He said that the difference between Pakistan and Nepal cricket is only in experience.”
“I think the difference is in the experience; the skills are the same. If you look at experience, Pakistan is an experienced team; that’s the difference.”
“Both teams have world-class batsmen and bowlers. However, we believe in the ‘One Ball Battle’ and want to focus on one ball.”
“He said that the team’s preparation was good.”
“Our preparations have been good. We played the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe and then the Emerging Asia Cup. Both bowlers and batsmen are world-class. We have to stay in the present and focus on that.”
Stating that Pakistan’s hospitality was good, he recalled his meeting with Rizwan in Nepal-
“We have received wonderful hospitality here; the people here are nice. Rizwan had come to Nepal when he was spoken to. At that time he told about his experience. It’s a great opportunity to play with a great cricketer.”
He said that the wicket of Multan Cricket Stadium, where the match will be played, is good-
“This is my first opportunity in Pakistan. The wicket is good overall. We want to implement our plan and hopefully play well.”
Remembering the Nepali viewers, he said that this is a great opportunity for everyone –
“Nepalese viewers have high expectations from us. Everyone’s dream was to play in the Asia Cup. We have been playing for more than two decades, and playing on this big stage is a great opportunity for all of us.”
