Lalitpur, October 5

Nepali women team is participating in the international tournament for the first time in two years but the players are confident if finishing at the top of the table in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier of Asia region.

The qualifier is scheduled for October 9-15 at the Tin Kwong Recreation Ground in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. Nepal, Hong Kong, Thailand and China will face each other twice in the double-league event with the champions earning the berth in the next year’s ICC Women’s World Cup Global Qualifier.

Nepal are scheduled to face Hong Kong on October 9 and October 13, meet Thailand on October 10 and October 14 and play against China on October 11 and October 15.

Last time Nepal played an international event at the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea in September 2014. Nepal had lost two matches out of three, including one against Thailand by six wickets. Since then there were no international fixtures for Nepal.

Nevertheless, Nepal are optimistic of winning the tournament and bringing home the trophy following their 45-day training on home soil. “We had sound preparation during closed camp training and our target will be to bring the trophy as Dashain gift to Nepalis back home,” said skipper Rubina Chhetri. “When we came in the training camp after a long gap, we were not confident in the beginning. But as the training progressed, girls regained confidence and now we are prepared to go into the tournament,” she added. “We also analysed the games of others teams and have prepared plans and strategies accordingly.”

According to coach Raju Basnyat, all the participating teams are of similar level and predicting results was a tough call. “Our target is to win the title and earn a place in the global qualifier.”

Basnyat has also instilled confidence into the players keeping aside the negative aspects of the game, including returning to the international arena after a long gap and the defeats of Asian Games. “We did not indulge on the negative parts and built the team focusing on the tournament. We also got enough time and best facilities for training. So I am confident that Nepal will win the event,” said coach Basnyat. “The only drawback of our team is that we have not played enough domestic matches,” he added.

The team played couple of practice matches against men’s team. “Playing against men’s team was confidence booster for us as we were able to stop their hard-hit shots. If we can block male player’s shots then it will be easier against women,” said Chhetri, who added the team focused on batting. “We were good at bowling and fielding from beginning so we worked harder on batting side.” Chhetri said.

A 16-member Nepali will leave for Hong Kong on Thursday to take part in the competition. National Sports Council Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista bade farewell to the team amidst a function at the International Sports Complex today. Nepali team comprised of coach Raju Basnyat and Manager Ashmita Gurung along with 14 players —Rubina Chhetri (captain), Sita Rana Magar (vice-captain), Neera Rajopadhyaya, Indu Barma, Nary Thapa, Nirmala Shahi, Sabnam Rai, Roshani Bohara, Rashmi Sharma Chaulagain, Karuna Bhandari, Sarita Magar, Saraswati Chaudhary, Kajol Shrestha and Jyoti Pandey.