Nepal hopeful of U-19 Asia Cup

KATHMANDU, DEC 26 -
The junior team led by Bhuwan Karki are keen to emulate the success of the senior team in the ACC U-19 Asia Cup scheduled to begin in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 28.

The challenge awaiting Nepal in the UAE is tough as they are in the same group as teams from Test giants India and Pakistan along with the hosts. However, Karki, who has also played for the senior team, believes his team are ready to ruffle the feathers of the Test team.

“If we are to progress from the group stage we have no option but to beat the teams from the Test-playing nations and we are ready for that,” said Karki. With the senior team doing so well of late, we are aware that we need to prove that the next batch of cricketers are ready to continue in their footsteps,” Karki said on Wednesday. The team is leaving for the UAE on Thursday. “We need to believe in our potential and play our normal game,” Karki added.

Coach Jung Bahadur Thapa believes his team would be a formidable opponent. “There is not much difference between the teams in the age-group and if our boys perform like they have been during practice sessions, I am sure we will be able to upset some of our neighbours,” said the coach, who had to reshuffle the team after his key player Sompal Kami was included in the senior team.

“He (Kami) was my best asset and the team would have been different had he and Avinash Karn been in the squad,” said the coach showing a bit of concern over the bowling department. “The boys are pretty inexperienced but I am hopeful as they had shown great maturity during practice matches with the senior side.”

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Afghanistan are in Group B in the week-long tournament with the top two progressing to the semi-finals.

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