Pokhara, Nov 30: Head coach Jagat Tamata believes Nepali women cricketers have what it takes to challenge the Test nations Sri Lanka and Bangladesh when four nations battle for the gold at the 13th South Asian Games.
Nepal will open the T20 competition taking the Maldives on Monday. The Maldives women are fresh challenge for Nepal in cricket while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are familiar competitors for Nepal.
Cricket is making a debut in the regional games this year and coach Tamata is looking forward to win first gold of SAG.
As the women cricketers have been training regularly for the past four months, Tamata believes they are confident they will bring the gold for Nepal.
“Our preparation is good. They have been training in closed camp for the four months. Therefore, our eyes are on gold,” said Tamata.
Tamata adds gold in triathlon
“They played their first franchise league in October. They are playing cricket regularly which have boosted their confidence,” he added.
Nepal has always been good in bowling. But now, they have given special attention to batting and fielding, according to Tamata.
“Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are Test nations. We have already played T20 matches with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.”
“Our performance was excellent against them,” recalls Tamata. “The situation has changed. But we have improved in every aspect”
“The Maldives will be a new challenge for us.”
Tamata said they will play good not only because they have home advantage. “We will have to perform our best,” he added.
Tamata accepts the fact that the standard of Nepali women cricketers has not elevated much in recent years as they were exposed less to international and even national competitions.
“The more we play, the more our batting and bowling becomes good. In four months camp, we have improved a lot,” he said.
“Lets hope, we win gold.”
The Nepali women team arrived in Pokhara two days ago. They practiced at Pokhara Stadium.
But, since the stadium is still under-construction, the practice session of the participating nations was scheduled at the Municipality Training Center in Nadipur, according to Kaski District Cricket Association Chair Sanjay Kanta Sigdel.
Bangladesh has already arrived in Pokhara while Sri Lanka and the Maldives will arrive on Sunday.
