Aiming to finish top in the tournament, the Nepali team, which is expecting all-round performances in the tournament, has seven all-rounders who can bowl and bat in Malaysia where playing condition is expected to be similar to Nepal.During a farewell program organized by Cricket Association of Nepal on Tuesday, Nepal's team coach Jagat Tamata informed that Nepal will play all-round game having majority of all-rounders.
Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) Secretary Dipendra Nath Sharma and CAN Vice-president Keshab Ghimire, General Secretary Uttam Karmacharya among others bade farewell to the team.
Spinners Prem Tamang, Sandeep Sunar and Sunil Dhamala as well as fast bowlers Aarif Sheikh, Yogendra Singh Karki, Dipendra Singh Airee and Saurav Khanal are all-rounders of Nepal.
"We have a balanced team," said coach Tamata, who informed that the team has five spinners. "We have five spinners and we will feature one fast bowler and most of the all-rounders," said Tamata, adding that his side wants to win the tournament.
Skipper Raju Rijal, Aashish Dhami, Shankar Rana and Rajbir Singh are batsmen of the team.
Dipesh Shrestha is expected to be given responsibility of fast bowling, while Sushil Kandel and Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi are spinners of the team.
"If batsmen score more than 200 runs then our bowlers shall have the capacity to defend the total," said Tamata, who hinted that spinners will be the back-bone of the team.
Although, Nepal is set for all-round performance in the tournament, there are still doubts for openers.
"We have been struggling for the openers but have four options for the openers. However, their improvement were seen during practice matches. If they will put 30+ runs, that will be enough for the team," opined coach Tamata, who is familiar with the conditions of Malaysia.
The team played around five practice matches during their 45 days of training, despite the trainings being partially affected by rain.
"Since last week we have been doing well and if we keep the same attitude then we will have good results," said team skipper Raju Rijal, who also said that his side is all prepared for the tournament.
Nepal is not only aiming to win the tournament but is also gearing up for the ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifiers scheduled for October 14 to 23.
"The event will also help us to prepare for the qualifiers, which will also be held in Malaysia," said Raju.
Nepal is scheduled to play its opening match against the United Arab Emirates on Friday at the Bayuemas Oval while it plays the second match the following day against Afghanistan at Kinrara Oval.
Nepal will play its third match against host Malaysia at the Bayuemas Oval on August 31 and faces Kuwait on September 1 at the Kinrara Oval.
Nepal will play its last match of the round-robin format against Saudi Arabia on September 3.
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