Confidence key to ACC Trophy
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KATHMANDU, MAR 27 - National cricket team hasn’t had good experience at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Trophy. To make the matter worst the venue for the 2010 edition which kicks off from March 30- April 9, Kuwait isn’t a happy hunting destination for Nepal having got out of the first round in both the T-20 and U-19 tournaments.
But the boys fresh from their win at the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 are ready to change both the results. Despite having no more than three changes in the team squad coach Roy Dias says the team he is taking to Kuwait is totally different from the past ones. “This team is the best team so far,” said the coach, “as unlike the other teams that participated in the earlier ACC Trophy, they know they are good enough to beat any side in the tournament.”
According to the coach this confidence in his team came after Nepal climbed to Division 4. “The change in their attitude and confidence is noticeable even in the training session,” he added.
The team might have changed but the coach is as cautious as ever when he says none of the teams can be taken lightly. “All the teams are equally good and we have to perform our best if we are to bag the title,” said the coach, “especially as the playing conditions will be totally different from what we are used to.”
It is the pitch that favours pace bowlers that has been bothering the Nepali team which is used to playing in slow turning pitches.
However, clinching the ACC Trophy isn’t the sole aim of the team. As per both the coach and captain Paras Khadka ACC Trophy is just part of preparation for the Division 4, which is the gate way to the World Cup for Nepal.
“All tournaments are important however our primary goal now is to get past Division 4 and the ACC Trophy is just a part of preparation for that to us,” said the captain.
Nepal is in group A along with defending champion Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuwait and Oman. While group B consist of UAE, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Bahrain and Bhutan.
Nepal have been participating in the ACC Trophy since 1996, reached the semi-final three times. The closest they came to it were in 2002 when they reached the final.
Posted on: 2010-03-27 08:26
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