KATHMANDU: Nepal is preparing to compete in Australia’s Top End T20 Series for the second time, with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) sending the Nepal ‘A’ team to the tournament instead of the senior national side this year.
Led by captain Anil Kumar Sah, the Nepal ‘A’ squad features a combination of experienced campaigners and emerging players. The balanced composition of the team has raised confidence among both the coaching staff and players ahead of the tournament.
Nepal ‘A’ head coach Raju Basnyat said the team has been preparing thoroughly and expressed optimism about producing positive results in Australia.
“The Nepal ‘A’ team is important for strengthening Nepali cricket,” Basnyat said, adding that the players’ preparations have given him confidence ahead of the competition. He acknowledged that adjusting to Australian pitches and conditions could be challenging but said the team was well prepared to handle the situation.
“We have been training consistently for the past 10 to 12 days. Our preparation and team combination are strong. We have a good blend of experienced and young players,” Basnyat said during the team’s farewell programme.
He added that the team would seek to make the most of its time in Australia by performing well in both the T20 and 50-over formats.
“I am confident that the players in the Nepal ‘A’ team will adapt well to the conditions in Australia and perform strongly,” he said.
Basnyat also highlighted the long-term importance of maintaining the Nepal ‘A’ team as a pathway for developing the national side. He noted that several players who performed for the ‘A’ team have recently progressed to the senior squad.
He further pointed out that senior national team players have also used the ‘A’ team to regain form and match fitness, demonstrating the team’s broader role in strengthening the depth of Nepali cricket.
Nepal will begin its Top End T20 Series campaign against Northern Territory Strike on August 21. The team will then face Bangladesh High Performance on August 22, Hobart Hurricanes on August 24, Australian Capital Territory on August 26, Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy on August 27 and Victoria CA-11 on August 29.
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