Kathmandu, March 26

Nepal will take on Pakistan U-23 team in their opening match of the ACC Emerging Teams Cup at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh on Monday.

Nepal national team skipper Gyanendra Malla said his side would put up a tough fight against the Test-playing nation. “We will field a strong team. If we start well, there are chances that we win the match,” said Malla.

He hoped the young players of the team would perform well. “Young players can put up good performance if they believe in themselves and handle the pressure comfortably,” he added.

A 20-member Nepali cricket team, including 15 cricketers, on Saturday left for Bangladesh for the event.  Nepal are in Group B with Pakistan U-23, Bangladesh U-23 and Hong Kong. Nepal will take on hosts Bangladesh on Tuesday and play against Hong Kong on Thursday.

Group A comprises of the U-23 teams from Test-playing nations, India and Sri Lanka as well as national teams from Afghanistan and Malaysia. All the matches of Group A will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Stadium in Chittagong.