Image Credit- ICC
According to head coach Monty Desai, Nepal wants to make an impression at the T20 World Cup 2024 when they play Bangladesh in their final group match. Despite the devastating one-run loss to South Africa, Nepal will attempt to “put on a show” against Bangladesh, who have a strong chance of qualifying for the Super Eight.
Netherlands’ net run rate is too low to give them a chance. Nepal is already eliminated from the competition after just one point from three games.
“We are building our story, so I am not thinking about spoiling anyone else’s party,” Desai said. “The message in the dressing room was that we still want to live in a world of imagination, where we want to believe that we crossed the line [on Friday]. We want to think that we are on three points, looking forward to Bangladesh and playing to qualify for Super Eight. If you can bring that mentality and fight till the end, cross the line, at least we will go back with a proud moment of winning, and then probably think about the ifs and buts of other games. But yes, we want to put up a show.”
Aasif Sheikh scored 42 runs after Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee shared seven wickets in the match against South Africa. In his debut game back in Nepali colours, Sandeep Lamichhane did not take a wicket, but he was economical. They lost the game despite all of that due to a run-out on the last ball. The Nepali players, according to Desai, needed to get over their loss.
“This is exactly where the mental strength will be tested for a young Associate team like Nepal,” he said. “Twenty-four hours from now we will be planning, discussing and moving towards the stadium to play against Bangladesh. It is very important to remember the processes that have helped us so far.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh fast bowler Tanzim Hasan has said that they will not take Nepal lightly as the format doesn’t allow any team to hold momentum for too long.
“There is no small or big team in T20 cricket,” he said. “We try to see each team equally. Because T20 is a game of momentum. It is a game of only 20 overs. No one can say when the momentum changes. We try to take each team equally. We will play aggressive cricket. We will stick to our place. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. We will try to play equally with everyone.”