Kathmandu, Nepal — In a spirited farewell ceremony organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Tuesday, the talented youth squad embarked on their journey to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the ACC U-19 Asia Cup, scheduled from December 8 to 17. This prestigious tournament serves as a crucial warm-up ahead of the ICC U-19 World Cup in South Africa, just a month later.
Having clinched victory in the ACC U-19 Premier Cup held in Malaysia, Nepal secured its place in the Asia Cup, where they find themselves grouped with cricket powerhouses India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The group stage matches, commencing with Nepal facing Pakistan on December 8, promise intense competition, with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals.
Addressing the gathering at the farewell event, team captain Dev Khanal expressed optimism, drawing inspiration from Nepal’s past success against India’s U-19 team. He emphasized the team’s focus on taking one game at a time, highlighting the opportunity to shine against formidable opponents like India and Pakistan. “Scoring runs and taking wickets against such top-tier teams will be a significant opportunity for everyone. We are determined to play well and make this journey a success,” said Khanal.
Head coach Jagat Tamata echoed Khanal’s sentiments, affirming the team’s preparation over two weeks and their commitment to delivering commendable performances. “We have practiced on different pitches, aiming to play good cricket and win all the matches. In the age group, Nepal is a force to be reckoned with,” Tamta asserted.
Youth and Sports Minister Dig Bahadur Limbu, along with CAN officials, bid a hopeful farewell to the Nepalese team. Minister Limbu expressed confidence in the players’ ability to make a mark globally, paralleling the success of the senior team. He announced that the pre-announced prize for the youth cricket team would be disbursed to their bank accounts in the coming days.
Looking beyond the Asia Cup, Nepal is gearing up for the ICC U-19 World Cup scheduled from January 13 to February 4, 2024, in South Africa. Drawn into Group D, Nepal will face tough competition from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and New Zealand. Their opening match against New Zealand promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Nepal secured its place in the World Cup by triumphing over the United Arab Emirates in the ICC Asia qualifiers last February. As the young talents embark on this exciting cricketing journey, the cricketing fraternity and fans alike eagerly anticipate their spirited performances on the international stage.
Nepal U-19 Men’s Cricket Squad for the 2023 ACC U-19 Asia Cup:
- Dev Khanal (c)
- Arjun Kumal
- Aakash Tripathi
- Dipak Prasad Dumre
- Hemant Dhami
- Gulshan Kumar Jha
- Dipesh Prasad Kandel
- Bishal Bikram KC
- Subhash Bhandari
- Deepak Bohara
- Uttam Rangu Thapa Magar
- Bipin Rawal
- Tilak Raj Bhandari
- Akash Chand
Nepal U-19 Fixtures for the 2023 ACC U-19 Asia Cup
Dec 8, Fri: vs Pakistan U19
at ICC Academy Ground No 2, Dubai – 11:15 AM (5:30 AM GMT, 9:30 AM LOCAL)
Dec 10, Sun: vs Afghanistan U19
at ICC Academy Ground No 2, Dubai – 11:15 AM (5:30 AM GMT, 9:30 AM LOCAL)
Dec 12, Tue: vs India U19
at ICC Academy Ground No 2, Dubai – 11:15 AM (5:30 AM GMT, 9:30 AM LOCAL)
