U-19 cricket team begins training in India

KATHMANDU, Sept 27: Nepali U-19 cricket team, that left for India on Saturday, has started its training at the St Stephen's Ground, New Delhi from Sunday. Nepali team is scheduled to play the ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifiers to be held in Malaysia from October 15-22.

As there is only one place available for next year's youth World Cup to be held in Bangladesh, Nepali colts had been eagerly waiting for exposure and foreign training.Cricketing powerhouse India was the best option for Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to hone its young guns for the upcoming events.

"Nepal will spend 15 days in New Delhi and play at least five practice matches against local teams," said CAN Chief Executive Officer Bhawana Ghimire.

The condition of New Delhi is expected to be similar to Malaysia, where Nepal will play its first match against Papua New Guinea on October 15 and meet Uganda the next day before facing USA on October 19. Nepal will play its last match of the round robin league against Ireland on 21. The final and third place play-off will be played on October 22.

The winner of the qualifiers will get its ticket booked for the World Cup in Bangladesh next year.

Recently, Nepali team played the ACC U-19 Premier League in Malaysia and finished runner-up.

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U19 cricket team to train in India