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ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024

Nepal out there to seize the moment

Boosted by the return of leg spinning star Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal’s eyes will be on history when they take on juggernaut South Africa in the Twenty20 World Cup as the biggest match of their cricketing journey nears.

Only a victory against the Proteas will keep Nepal alive in the hunt for the Super 8s but to get the better of a team firmly posing as title favourites will be a hard nut to crack.

South Africa began their campaign with a bang skittling out Sri Lanka for just 77 runs. They did appear to be under pressure against the Netherlands and Bangladesh, but experience helped them cross the finish line at both the occasions.

With Super 8 already confirmed, South Africa would not only look to fine tune themselves for the next stage but also head there as confident Group ‘D’ winners.

Nepal, meanwhile, are second from the bottom. They lost to fellow Associates Netherlands in Texas and the match against Sri Lanka in Florida was washed out due to rain.

It was that wash out against the Lankans that helped Nepal earn a point and a reason to chase what could be a fairytale for them, provided they qualify.

South Africa lead the table with six points followed by Bangladesh (four) and the Netherlands (two). Even a wash out against Nepal in their last group stage game is enough for Bangladesh to qualify, while the Dutch are still in the hunt.

Debut at the Caribbean

Nepal, in their cricketing history, are playing for the first time ever in the Caribbean preparing for the match at Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent.

The closest Nepal were with the Caribbean was in 2013 when they won the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 title in Bermuda. And now they are in that part of the world where cricket means festival for the islanders.

After hosting the first-ever ODI and Test matches in 1981 and 1997, international cricket has returned to Arnos Vale after a decade. This ground last hosted an international cricket match in 2014, a Test between the West Indies and Bangladesh.

The action resumed on Thursday when Bangladesh defeated the Netherlands.

As the Caribbean Premier League matches were not also held here, anticipation over the ground conditions is hard to claim as close to accurate.

Return of once globetrotting Sandeep

Although Nepal as a team is making its debut in the Caribbean, the place is not new for star leggie Sandeep who has his own story on his journey to the World Cup.

Acquitted by country’s High Court in a rape case that stretched for almost two years, Sandeep was denied visa by the US Embassy of Nepal thrice.

He went on to miss the US leg of the World Cup and travelled to the Caribbean via Dubai. He was already in St Vincent when the Nepali team’s flight to the Caribbean was delayed due to adverse weather conditions in Florida.

On Thursday, Sandeep was pictured training with the national team.

Sandeep, who once played for Delhi Capitals in the IPL, had regularly featured in the Caribbean Premier League until rape charges were filed against him.

He was given an eight-year jail term by a Kathmandu District Court before the High Court decided in his favour.

Having gone through an ordeal of a lengthy trial during which he also became the epicentre of a divided society that also advocated for him, Sandeep’s only aim will be to do what he has been doing, take wickets and win games.

If that happens in the two remaining games, Nepal will have stories to tell.

Seize the moment

Nepal-South Africa clash might look like a David vs Goliath battle but for the boys from the tiny Himalayan nation is a moment to savor.

South Africa are going to be Nepal’s biggest opponent they will play in their Twenty20 International journey.

They did play India and Pakistan in the 50-over Asia Cup last year but the clash against Bangladesh in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 still remains to be their biggest game with a settled Test side.

The Sri Lanka clash would have eclipsed that achievement only for the rain to play spoilsport on June 11 in Florida.

Nepal have their own concerns. The opening department has not been able to provide a desired start.

The middle order has not contributed heavily and now there is a challenge to play against world class pacers in Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Ottneil Baartman or spinner Keshav Maharaj.

An average bowling attack has to tackle a rock solid South African batting line-up comprising of Henrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram.But all these names never crossed the path in Nepali cricket. And the team knows this is the moment that it needs to seize and enjoy. 

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