In the backdrop of a T20 World Cup 2024 filled with upsets and dramatic finishes, Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel exudes confidence as his team prepares to face an under-pressure Sri Lanka in Lauderhill, Florida, on June 11. This match marks Nepal’s second game in the tournament, while Sri Lanka is teetering on the brink of elimination after losing their first two matches.
Paudel’s confidence is bolstered by the surprising results this tournament has seen, where Associate teams have frequently bested Full Members. “If you see in this World Cup, you’ll see that the Associate team is beating Test-playing countries,” Paudel remarked. “So, it is a motivation for all of us, especially moving forward to tomorrow’s game. So as a team, we believe that we are going to win tomorrow and the way we have been preparing for the last couple of months and the way we have been playing cricket for the last one and a half years, I think the belief is always there in the team and we are looking forward to tomorrow’s game.”
Drawing Inspiration from Other Matches
Nepal’s belief is further strengthened by notable upsets in the tournament, such as the USA’s victory over Pakistan and Canada’s triumph over Ireland. These results, along with close encounters like Papua New Guinea challenging West Indies and Netherlands nearly defeating South Africa, have added a sense of unpredictability to the tournament. “We want to go tomorrow and showcase our talent in front of the world,” Paudel emphasized.
Adapting to Unique Challenges
Nepal’s preparation for the match against Sri Lanka includes understanding the unique challenges posed by the tournament’s venues. “Scoring runs is becoming harder due to drop-in pitches and conditions,” Paudel noted. “The conditions in New York and Dallas are different from that in Florida. Florida has hosted the India-West Indies game previously. So, I think the conditions then and now are different and in the two-three days we practiced, the wickets looked good. If we respect the conditions and present our skills, we can beat any team. The team believes that. We are very confident for tomorrow.”
Embracing the Pressure
He also highlighted the pressure faced by their opponents. “If you look at this tournament, there have been many ups and downs. So, the team believes, and more than us, as a team, the pressure is on the Test-playing nation. We will utilize the pressure, create the pressure and we want to win the game tomorrow. So, if we do the basic things right, I think we are ahead.”
Sri Lanka’s Struggles
Sri Lanka’s struggle is evident, having lost to both South Africa and Bangladesh. Even winning their last two league games might not secure them a spot in the Super Eight. Paudel acknowledged the pressure on Sri Lanka, stating, “I think team Sri Lanka is under more pressure than us. And if you look at the conditions in the USA, there are lots of dot balls being played. Yesterday, India scored only 119 [against Pakistan]. I think overall, if you look at the conditions, whoever scores 140 is successful, and I think that’s the winning score if you look at the games. So, there are dot balls in these conditions. Whoever gets a start, they have to utilize it.”
Importance of Capitalizing on Starts
Paudel stressed the importance of capitalizing on starts, something that has been challenging for many teams in the tournament. “Whoever gets a start, they have to utilize it. Plus, like yesterday’s game, batsmen were scoring 30-40, but they were still not able to utilize the start. So, it’s a little difficult for new batsmen to play. I think as a batsman, whoever starts, we have to capitalize and get the team to win. And as a team, I think we still have that belief. The first game didn’t go as we thought, but still, as a team, we believe that we will win the next game. We are looking forward to it. We are very excited.”
Lauderhill’s Low-Scoring History
Lauderhill, the venue for the match, has a history of low-scoring games, which could work to Nepal’s advantage. Sri Lanka, having played there in the past, might find some comfort in their familiarity with the ground, but recent performances suggest otherwise. “If we respect the conditions and present our skills, we can beat any team. The team believes that. We are very confident for tomorrow,” Paudel reiterated.
Tackling Sri Lanka’s Spin Threat
When asked about Sri Lanka’s threats, Paudel pointed to their spinners as a key challenge. “We have to tackle their spinners carefully, who have the exposure of playing all over the world.”
Boost from Lamichhane’s Addition
Nepal will receive a significant boost with the addition of their star legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who will join the squad for their last two league games against South Africa and Bangladesh. Lamichhane, however, will miss the game against Sri Lanka due to visa issues.
Looking Forward
As Nepal prepares for this critical match, the confidence and optimism within the team are palpable. With a blend of preparation, respect for the conditions, and strategic gameplay, Nepal aims to continue the trend of upsets in this unpredictable T20 World Cup 2024.
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