Nepal's national team after defeating the US in its maiden qualifier match of ICC T20. Photo: ICC
Nepal is taking on heavyweight Ireland in its third match of the ICC World T20 Qualifier at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast today. Ireland, which is eying third consecutive title by winning the tournament, is definitely the biggest challenge for Nepal. Apart from that, the other daunting challenge for Nepal is nature—rain.
The weather forecast has shown that the threat of rain looms large, predicting showers today as well. If rain will wash-out today’s match, Nepal will be on the disadvantage. Having shared points with Namibia at the same venue on Saturday, Nepal, eyeing to seal its place in the World T20 in India next year, will have difficult time achieving that feat.
Nepal will ascend atop Group ‘A’ standing if it wins today’s match, dethroning host Ireland.
Earlier in the tournament, Nepal kicked off its campaign with a six-wicket victory over the United States of America.
The other challenge for Nepal will be facing Ireland’s pacers. Nepal’s batting, so far, has been totally dependent upon skipper Paras Khadka, vice-captain Gyanendra Malla and Sharad Vesawkar. Gyanendra scored his first half-century in T20 Internationals against US, before Paras steered Nepal to a convincing win. Nepal’s opening pair has, so far, failed to impress as Sagar Pun has not been able to survive beyond first over while Anil Mandal looks forward to improve his batting performance.
Ireland, being hard-hitting opponent, Nepal faces a stiff challenge of containing the flow of runs, especially from John Mooney, George Dockrell and Paul Stirling, who have been impressive with bat so far.
Teams:
Nepal: Paras Khadka (captain), Pradeep Airee, Binod Bhandari, Shakti Gauchan, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Subash Khakurel, Siddhant Lohani, Gyanendra Malla, Anil Mandal, Jitendra Mukhiya, Rajesh Pulami, Sagar Pun, Basant Regmi, Sharad Vesawkar.
Ireland: William Porterfield (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Tyrone Kane, Andrew McBrine, Graeme McCarter, John Mooney, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Stuart Poynter, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.
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