The national team has been preparing for the World T20 Qualifiers and the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers under the CAN´s High Performance Program (HPP), and the Delhi tour is a part of the program. The World T20 Qualifiers will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November while the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers will be held in New Zealand in January 2014. [break]
"Nepal will play seven matches in Delhi against various teams selected by the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) and among them three matches would be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla Cricket Stadium," CAN member Sanjiv Pandey said during an informal meeting with reporters. "Indian opener Gautam Gambhir is set to play against us in one of the three matches."
According to Pandey, Nepal will play two matches against Railways Cricket Team during the tour. The Nepali team will stay in Delhi for 10 days and return to Kathmandu before flying to the UAE.
A delegation led by CAN President Tanka Angbuhang had visited India last month and signed an agreement with the DDCA for friendly series and other support.
Nepal coach Pubudu Dassanayake said he expects the tour to be the best India tour ever. "We are having the best preparation this time. However, we still have areas to improve," said Dassanayake.
Dassanayake said his team aims to finish on top in the qualifiers in Dubai and secure berth in the T20 World Cup. "We have been preparing so as to meet expectations. Our batting used to be weaker against fast bowling. But we are trying to overcome the problem and fast bowlers from Sri Lanka are helping our boys," said Dassanayake.
Two Sri Lankan first-class bowlers are in Kathmandu for the past 10 days. According to Nepali team manager Purna Lama, two other fast bowlers are also coming to Kathmandu. "The coach has sanctioned only four-day leave to players in Dashain. Meanwhile, players from Kathmandu are ready to attend training every day except on Tika," said Lama.
´Prithu Banskota could return to team´
All-rounder Prithu Banskota, who injured his right knee last month, could return to the T20 team for the qualifiers. He was earlier told that he could return to cricket only after six to nine months of treatment.
According to Lama, Banskota is undergoing treatment at the Indian Spinal Injury Center in New Delhi and doctors have said that he does not need surgery. "Doctors have been saying that physiotherapy and rehabilitation would help him make speedy recovery. He is likely to return to the team before the World T20 Qualifiers," said Lama.
However, coach Dassanayake said he would not take the risk of including Banskota in the team if he is not completely fit.
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