The team, led by Nary Thapa, played a practice match on Wednesday and took rest on Thursday. They will leave for Singapore on Friday.[break]
"Our training was satisfactory. We have to keep our patience during the matches; we can give a better performance this year," said Thapa.
Coach Shyamson Jang Thapa is also happy with the progress but laments that the team would have progressed more if the rain had not interrupted their training. "Rain and the wet ground disturbed us. We practiced in the ground for the last five days only. However, girls have done well," said coach Thapa.
According to coach Thapa, the number of all-rounders in the team is their strongest factor. "We have 12 all-rounders in the team. Thus, we don´t lack bowlers; however, girls lack batting skills. I´m working on it," said Thapa.
Rubina Chhetri is the vice-captain of the team. Other members of the team are Mamta Thapa, Sarita Thapa Magar, Sita Rana Magar, Sonu Khadka, Shraddha Aryal, Arati Bidari, Manisha Rawal, Indu Verma, Trishna Singh, Anjali Chand, Nima Tamang and Gita Chudal. Captain Thapa, Chhetri, Rana Magar and Thapa Magar are also in the women´s team selected for the upcoming 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
"There are some experienced players also. I´ll form a balanced team for every game," he added.
Coach Thapa expects maximum effort from captain Thapa, vice-captain Chhetri and spinner Thapa Magar. "Nary can play powerful shots and Rubina also can bat well, but during the training every girl has learned to collect singles," said coach Thapa.
Nepal are the defending champions of the tournament. "Though we are the defending champions, it is not easy this time since the girls have to play on astro-turf," said coach Thapa. "We have a bunch of new players and we went through a short training. It is a tough task this time, but we are positive about defending the title," he added.
Along with defending champions Nepal, Hong Kong, Bhutan, Kuwait, China, Malaysia, Qatar, Oman, Singapore, Thailand and the UAE will be competing for the title. Nepal will play Hong Kong on October 4, Kuwait on October 5, Singapore on October 7 and Qatar on October 8 in the league round.
"We are facing the toughest opponents, Hong Kong, in our first match. It will set our course in the tournament," said Thapa.
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