Since Nepal had a very good record in the finals, we were enthusiastic about today´s (Saturday) final. We were trying to put in our hundred percent during the match. [break]
We were unable to execute our plans on Friday. However, we achieved success today. Specially, Rahul turned the tables in our favor and the credit for the victory should go to him.
Everybody contributed to take the team to the final. However, Rahul´s bowling and the opening stand of Mahesh and Anil took us to the victory.
We study the condition and make plans for the game. As there was grass on the wicket, we added a pace bowler.
Wickets of the previous matches were not friendly for fast bowling, but today it was different. Looking at the today´s wicket, we started our bowling attack with pacers and we three (Binod Das, Mehboob Alam & Paras) bowled longer spells than in previous matches.
I normally follow my instincts. Therefore, I mixed bowlers regularly and I asked them to bowl for a longer spell.
We fielded well today and took some sharp catches.
Once the US were at 150/3, Rahul came and bowled really well to restrict them to 172.
The US had thought we could not play fast bowling. They had dropped a spinner and included a pacer in the team.
However, Mahesh and Anil provided us a good opening partnership. Opening had been a problem for us in the previous matches and we overcame the problem today.
Though we had a good opening partnership, we didn´t change the batting order in the middle. We were not in the mood of breaking the rhythm in the middle order. As we had Shakti, Sharad, Gyanendra and myself going well in the middle order, we didn´t change the batting order.
This is the first time that the senior team won a major tournament for the country. I´m happy that it happened under my captaincy. However, the credit goes to all the players.
I wish it to be a turning point for Nepali cricket. If you ask me to express more about the victory, I can´t express it in words. I can only say that the victory was too sweet for us.
Though we won the trophy, we still have room for improvement. We have to hone our bowling, fielding and batting skills.
We are in division 4 now and we have to put in our best efforts to do well. We have ACC Trophy in near future and we should focus on it. We need more planning and better training to achieve back-to-back success.
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(As told to Nabin Khatiwada)
Paras is captain of the national cricket team.
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