KATHMANDU: The Nepali national cricket team’s recent poor form has left fans disheartened and disillusioned.
After five consecutive losses in the ICC World Cup League-2, serious questions are being raised about the direction of the team and the leadership guiding it.
The ongoing series in Canada has compounded these concerns, with Nepal losing three successive matches, including two losses to Canada and a defeat to Oman, whom they face again on Tuesday.
While cricket is a growing passion in Nepal, this series has highlighted a glaring weakness in the team: its batting. Nepal’s top-order batsmen have faltered under pressure, leading to a series of subpar performances that have left fans questioning their commitment and responsibility.
Arjun Saud and Anil Sah, brought into the lineup after the failures of Kushal Bhurtel and Kushal Malla, have not done any better. Saud’s recent dismissal for 5 runs against Oman and 12 against Canada only underscores his struggles.
With just 36 runs over five matches against Ireland ‘A’ in April, his form has not improved, failing to reach a half-century in the last 10 matches for either club or country.
Anil Sah, brought in to provide a fresh start, hasn’t performed any better. He managed just 3 runs against Oman and 1 against Canada in this series, highlighting a bigger problem.
Even though he played in the T20 World Cup, his recent form has been poor, with the only notable effort being a 58-run inning against West Indies ‘A.’
Bhim Sharki, once considered a specialist in one-day matches, has similarly fallen short of expectations. His highest score in this series has been just 18 runs, and his inability to anchor the innings has frustrated supporters hoping for more consistency.
Captain Rohit Paudel, despite showing some spark with a 60-run performance against Oman, has also faltered. His scores of 5 and 4 in the two Canada matches have left questions about whether the pressure of captaincy is getting to him.
Kushal Bhurtel, a player once celebrated for his explosive batting, has seen his form dramatically decline since the T20 World Cup. Bhurtel has managed a top score of 16 runs in his last 10 matches, a far cry from his early promise. His exclusion from recent matches suggests that even team management is losing confidence.
Aasif Sheikh, Nepal’s wicketkeeper-batsman, has also failed to rise to the occasion, contributing just 20, 2, and 11 runs in the series so far. With the top order repeatedly collapsing, the team’s hopes have been consistently dashed, frustrating fans and shaking the squad’s own confidence.
Following these losses, many are pointing fingers at CAN (Cricket Association of Nepal), head coach Monty Desai, and the selection committee. The decision to continue relying on players who have consistently underperformed has raised doubts about their long-term strategy. CAN, the coach, and the captain have yet to offer concrete answers, merely acknowledging that the near-misses in previous games have frustrated fans.
However, with mounting pressure from supporters, there is a growing consensus that it’s time for new players to redefine the team’s trajectory. There is still hope that the national team, which once inspired so much pride by qualifying for the World Cup, can regain its footing.
But to do so, cricket pundits insist that the time for a strategic shake-up is now. Nepal needs fresh faces and a renewed sense of urgency if they are to reclaim their status on the international stage.
For now, the team’s journey in Canada will serve as a test, not only of its resilience but of the leadership’s willingness to adapt and embrace change. Whether CAN heeds the call for reform remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the status quo is no longer an option for Nepali cricket.
Comment