Nepal U-19 Cricket team will play a 3-match ODI series against Bangladesh U-19 in the coming week to prepare themselves for bigger challenges in the upcoming ACC U-19 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Pointing out the tour as most vital for the team, U-19 coach Binod Das asserted that batting will be given the bigger focus in the upcoming 3 matches to know where they stand before Asia Cup commences.
“Three practice matches against Bangladesh will be equally important as Asia Cup because it will be reality check for us. We will know where we stand in terms of quality before travelling to Malaysia to face heavyweights,” Binod Das said.
“Since Bangladesh is also going to take part in the Asia Cup, we may have to face them again in the competition. So facing them in practice matches will be beneficial for us,” added Das. “And it will also give us confidence for the upcoming matches against strong Test playing nations.”
The 15 players chosen for the tournament were picked on the basis of their performances during the practice matches played in the closed-camp and Eastern Region tournament. A total of 24 players took part in the 17-day long closed-camp in Kathmandu. The players in the preliminary squad were divided into two groups, and played four practice matches between them for the management to get a good look-in and to select the appropriate squad.
“We had Monty Desai as batting consultant during the camp and he will also travel to Bangladesh with the team. Together, we have worked hard to improve the batting of players,” said Das. The Bangladesh series will give Das a good idea as to where their batsmen stand after the preparatory camp training sessions and matches.
