Sweet smell of success

The crowd cheers the ACC U-19 Nepali team to victory

by ALOK AMATYA

FROM ISSUE # 124 (April 2006) | IN THIS ISSUE
	REFER TO FRIEND		PRINT THIS ARTICLE

Thousands of people gathered at the Tribhuvan University Cricket ground on 19 November to cheer every run as Sharad Veshwakar and Paras Khadka guided Nepal to the Asian Cricket Council U-19 Cup victory against Malaysia. What made this victory sweeter is the fact that Nepal was one of the three nations that used homegrown players in the tournament (Maldives and Iran being the other two).

After reducing the tough Malaysians (who had remained undefeated throughout the tournament) to a dismal 83 all out in 25.5 overs, our boys had all the time in the world to go about gathering their runs. The run rate required to meet the target was only 1.7 at the outset of the chase. Coming out to bat, the top order of Nepal U-19 went patiently about their business, and finally embraced the certain victory when Paras cleared the ropes for a six on the 153rd ball of the innings, losing 3 wickets on the way.

"In the morning at the Kirtipur wicket, due to the cold, the ball deviates more both in the air and on the ground. So winning the toss was a big bonus for us," said fast bowler Bantu Bataju, who got a match-winning five-wicket haul in the finals. "I am pleased with my performance today but what makes me happier is the five-wicket contribution that helped the team win."

John Bailey, Malaysia U-19 cricket team's English coach said, "Nepal's U-19 team have very high fielding standards and they bowled in the right areas, so they put pressure on us. But unlike other teams, they maintained the pressure throughout. That is what a good team does—once they've got you they don't let you off the hook." Bailey added, "They got the opportunity to bowl first, which was an advantage and they exploited it. We've let ourselves down with our batting performance."

"There was a lot of pressure to win this tournament," said Paras Khadka, vice captain of the Nepali team, "We played in the last three Youth World Cups. If we had not qualified this time, it would have been discouraging for Nepali cricket." (Only the winning team of this tournament qualifies for the Youth World Cup, which will be held in February 2006 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.) Bantu agreed, "Our coach, manager, and the entire Nepal expected us to win."

Sharad Veshwakar, who scored the home team's first half-century of the tournament and batted brilliantly throughout, said, "The crowd-support throughout the tournament was fantastic. I sincerely thank them on the behalf of our team. They gave us a lot of energy to perform on-field."

"Without them, the game could have gone the other way," said Roy Luke Dias, Nepal's coach and test player for Sri Lanka in his days.

"Playing on your home ground renews your zeal," said Paras, who often comes as the first fast-bowling change and who happens to be a top-order batsman, "You feel that everybody—your family, friends, and the media—is watching and you want to do well."

"I think the overall management of the tournament was very good. The transportation, hospitality, the food- everything was very well done," said John Bailey. "The scenes at the end of the game were not the best though," he adds, referring to the chaotic situation that resulted when the joyous crowd ran onto the ground over the netted fence at the end of the match, forcing the management to delay, and then quickly conclude the closing ceremony. But TB Shah, tournament director for Cricket Association Nepal, says in jest, "If I were young again, I would have done the same."

"Ours is a balanced team—all aspects of our performance are good. Since our opening bowlers—Amrit Bhattarai and Bantu Bataju have always come up with wickets, it makes things relatively easier for the rest of us," said Gyanendra Malla, who was the captain of Nepal's U-15 team, which won the ACC cup in Bangladesh two years ago. Bailey adds, "It's a good all-round team—they bat well, they bowl with passion, the fielding is excellent, and the players are experienced. I think they're going to upset a few teams in the World Cup."

Nepal will face England on 6 February, Zimbabwe on 7 February and Ireland on 9 February in the league round of the Youth World Cup 2006 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Our boys have defeated teams of test-playing nations like Pakistan, South Africa and Bangladesh in U-19 World Cup matches before, but none against England and Zimbabwe. (Nepal has not played Ireland yet.) But our players are experienced: five players from the U-19 squad have played in the senior team for Nepal already, and many others have played in international matches. This time our hopes are pinned high on our young homebred heroes.

Roy Luke Dias: Coach
Pradip Kumar Karki: Manager
Shankar Kumar Rana: Assistant Coach