Final squad named for WCL Division-IV

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) today named the final 14-member squad for the ICC World Cricket League Division-IV which will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on September 1-10.

Paras Khadka will lead the side that includes Gyanendra Malla (vice-captain), Sharad Vesawkar, Amrit Bhattarai, Shakti Gauchan, Basant Regmi, Sanjam Regmi, Anil Mandal, Chandra Saud and Binod Das.

Paras is currently in Canada where he is playing the first Division Cricket with Ontario Cricket Academy and Club, while Chandra and Amrit have returned from their four-month stint with Sri Lanka Port Authority Cricket Club in the Sri Lankan U-23 League. Paras is scheduled to return home for the closed-camp by the second week of August.

Prithu Baskota, Rahul Kumar BK, Pradeep Airee and Subash Khakurel made the cut in the final 14-member squad from current U-19 team preparing for the ICC U-19 World Cup to be held in Queensland, Australia on August 11-26.

Wicketkeeper batsman Mahesh Chhetri — who played the WCL Division-V in Kathmandu and Division-IV in Italy have been named as reserve along with Sagar Pun, Binod Bhandari and Yagya Man Kumal.

Sagar is also a member of the U-19 squad, while rookie fast bowler Yagya Man Kumal was called by coach Pubudu Dassanayake for trial after his performance with Region-VI (Baitadi) during the Wai Wai U-19 National Cricket Tournament in April.

The final squad has been picked up by coach Dassanayake following their performance in the international and domestic tournaments after CAN failed to host senior national tournament due to busy international schedule. The WCL Division-IV is the gateway to 2015 World Cup which will be organised jointly by New Zealand and Australia.

Top two teams from Division-IV will win promotion to Division-III to be held in Bermuda in April, 2013. Nepal will play Malaysia, Singapore, America, Tanzania and Denmark in Division-IV.

Nepal record massive victory

KATHMANDU: Nepali team preparing for the ICC U-19 World Cup registered a comprehensive 255-run victory over Kormilda College in a practice match in Darwin, Australia on Wednesday.

Nepal opted to bat first and with three half centuries piled a mammoth 358-8 in 50 overs. Kormilda, in reply, were bundled out for 103 at their home grounds.

Opener Subash Khakurel top scored for Nepal with 78 runs, while all rounder Hashim Ansari made 69 and Rajesh Pulami scored 63 runs. Skipper Prithu Baskota also contributed 48 runs to the total.

Nepal will next play Northern Territory (NT) Strike Team in their third practice match on Friday before leaving for Brisbane, informed team manager Kiran Rana. Nepal lost their first practice match against NT Strike Team by 98 runs. The Nepali team is currently based in Darwin for a one-week conditioning camp.

Nepal will play Ireland along with Test giants England and defending champions Australia in the World Cup which begins on August 11.