It is only the way for Nepal to reach the World T20 to be held in Bangladesh in 2014. The 16 participating teams have been divided into two groups for the qualifiers. [break]
The winners of both the groups will directly qualify for the World T20 while other teams in the top-five of each group will advance to the second round of the qualifiers. The top six teams of the qualifiers will book tickets to Bangladesh.
Coach Pubudu Dassanayake said he aims to top the group and qualify directly for the World T20. "My target is to top the group and directly qualify for the World Cup," said Dassanayake.
Nepal has been drawn in Group B of the qualifiers along with Afghanistan, Scotland, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Bermuda and Denmark. "We are in a tough group as there are four teams with ODI status. Afghanistan looks to be the strongest," said Dassanayake. "However, we had lost to Afghanistan by only three runs in the last encounter. We are on their level and we want maintain that level and better it," he added.
Dassanayake is well aware of the preparations made by the opponents but is also happy with his own team."All the teams have been preparing very well but the important part is how we start the tournament. We take one game at a time and hope for a winning start to the qualifiers," said Dassanayake.
Dassanayake said the preparations over the past four months have given him the confidence to excel. "We have been working for the last three to four months. Everything went according to plan. The boys are fit. We are really keen to go, perform and prove that we belong to that level," said Dassanayake.
"I would have loved to have a little bit longer preparation outside the country, but no complaints. We have a bunch of players working from morning till evening to do well," he added.
According to Dassanayake, Pradeep Airee and Subash Khakurel will open the Nepali innings in Dubai.
"We tried out different combinations during the India tour to try and see different players in different roles. Now, Pradeep and Subash are going to take the opening duty," said the coach.
Asked about the Nepali batting line-up and growing concerns following the short knocks of Nepali batsmen during the India tour, Dassanayake argued that he has a set T20 batting line-up. "Everyone had short knocks in India. But in T20 format, their roles could be short but they should be sharp and click at the right time. We have an experienced middle order and a balanced team," claimed Dassanayake.
Besides spin attack, the regular strength of Nepali side, Dassanayake is expecting good performance from Nepali pacers Amrit Bhattarai, Jitendra Mukhiya and Avinash Karn. "All three have improved. They are capable of doing well. I believe they are well aware of their roles in the team," said Dassanayake.
Nepal will take on Denmark on November 15 in its first match of the qualifiers. Nepal will then meet Kenya on November 16, Scotland on November 18, PNG on November 19, the Netherlands on November 20, Afghanistan on November 22 and Bermuda on November 23.
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