Four-time winners, Nepal have already defeated Afghanistan in the league round by six wickets to become a clear favorite to win the title at the Thailand Cricket Ground (TCG).[break]
“If we continue our performance, title is ours,” a confident coach Jagat Tamata said. If Nepal win the final, Tamata will become the first Nepali coach to lead a men´s team to a title. Nepal had won 11 titles in men´s cricket so far -- all of them under inspirational Sri Lankan coach Roy Luke Dias, who ended his decade-long career in Nepal two months earlier.
Nepal´s only worry is the injury, a torn ligament, captain Prithu Baskota received during the semifinal match against Qatar. Baskota is out for at least three weeks following the injury. In his absence, Rahul Biswokarma will lead the team.
“It´s difficult to find alternative to Prithu who, apart from being a good captain, is a good bowler, batsman and fielder,” Tamata said. “But we will ensure that his absence won´t be felt in the final.”
Tamanta hinted that leg-spinner Bivek Dali could get his first break in Thailand. “We have batted well in the tournament, so we can play an extra bowler,” he said. “TCG is a big ground and Afghani batsmen play big shot, so spinners could be effective.”
This will be the fourth time that Nepal play Afghanistan at the age-group. Nepal defeated Afghanistan by 48 runs to win the final of the 2007 edition in Malaysia. Two years later, Afghanistan ended Nepal´s decade-long unbeaten run with a six-wicket victory in Kuwait before losing to Hong Kong in the final.
Afghanistan coach Asadullah Khan said defeat against Nepal was a big lesson. “Our players were overconfident against Nepal and we lost the match,” he said. “But now they [the players] are like hungry tigers, especially against Nepal.”
Khan and Afghani manager Shir Agha Hamkar were both confident that they would win the title for the first time. “We will take the title for the first time,” they said in unison.
“The final will be much amazing and interesting match and Afghanistan will take their revenge against Nepal,” Hamkar added.
One advantage that Afghanistan have is their experience at the ground. Out of five matches so far, they played four at TCG. Nepal played just one at the ground -- against Oman in which they scored 391/4 for 204-run victory.
Meanwhile, Naresh Budayer has been nominated as the vice-captain of the team. Nepal´s manager Basant Raj Satyal announced his name during a physical drill outside at a park. “I hadn´t expected the responsibility, but I will do my best,” Naresh, who has already played for the national side, said.
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