NEWS
Follow UsAs Nepal turn their attention to Bangladesh in their final game of the T20 World Cup 2024, one cannot help but look back at how close they were to beating South Africa in the previous game. Had Nepal won that game, they would have remained in the hunt for a place in the Super Eights. However, their heartbreaking one-run loss has put them out of contention for a place in the next round.
Nepal head coach Month Desai, however, reckons that his side has already left a footprint in the tournament. "Still soaking it in," Desai said of the South Africa game as his side prepares to take on Bangladesh on June 16 (Sunday) in St Vincent.
"If I had to only speak like a fan from outside, I know that they are capable more than that. But just as a fan who loves the game, I would say Nepal definitely have left their footprints with that game, and to let the Test nations know, the world cricket know that they belong. I have a strong belief in this class of 2023, the players who have come together."
Speaking of their opponents, Bangladesh, they just need a win to qualify. Are Nepal looking to spoil their party? Desai says he is more keen on focusing on 'building their story.'
"We are building our story so I am not thinking about spoiling anyone else's party, but the way the message was in our dressing room is that we still want to live in a world of imagination where we want to believe that we crossed the line yesterday," Desai said.
"And we want to think that we are on the three points looking forward to Bangladesh and playing to qualify for Super Eights. If you can bring that mentality tomorrow and fight, fight till the end, cross the line, at least we will go back with a proud moment of crossing and then probably thinking about the ifs and buts of other games. But yes, we want to put up a show."
Spin played a major role in the Nepal-South Africa match in St Vincent and could very well play a part once again. While hinting there might be a change in Nepal's XI, Desai said that he is trying his best to go into the Bangladesh contest with a balanced side.
"We are balancing our side with seam and spin both. Okay, so we saw so far that spin has played a role here and my past memories in Caribbean has been very similar," the 50-year-old said.
"But we have a balanced side. So, what the surface offers, what the conditions offer tomorrow, accordingly we will present our challenges. What I'm really looking forward to is our batters showing a little more courage and challenge and fight. I know in the nets, I have seen a lot more than what you guys have seen in the centre out there. I really want them to present that tomorrow."
Shakib Al Hasan returned to form with a timely fifty against the Netherlands, propelling Bangladesh to a crucial win. Do Nepal have any specific plans for the southpaw? Desai decides to play his cards close to his chest.
"T20, now with so much footage and so much information available, everyone will have certain plans. I mean the general thing will be a left-hander, you bring in off-spin, you bowl in a channel, all that stuff is right there," Desai explains.
"But I think it's the hunger between that individual who is going to bowl and Shakib al Hasan with wealth of experience. I think 300 plus games if we add up all the formats for him and somebody who has been a leader for the nation. For us it is about just contesting there and making sure that - I mean we picked up some important wickets yesterday as well against some well-established batters from South Africa.
"So similar challenges we will bring in. I will not disclose what kind of a plan we will put across Shakib but I think there are lot of plans that we think about."
Seven teams have already qualified for the Super Eights and the final spot will be between Bangladesh and Netherlands, who play on Sri Lanka later today. Nepal, on the other hand, have just one point from the tournament so far. They are yet to beat a full-member nation in T20 Internationals (T20I). Will Bangladesh be their first victim?
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