How has your been experience so far?It´s been good, I liked it. More than anything, I have enjoyed working with the boys. Once you have good players, you enjoy coaching. My plans on preparation are going well.
What are the areas you have focused during your coaching?
We are trying to improve in all three departments and adjust to the Twenty20 format. I know that Nepal has done well before in 50-over matches and it hasn´t done well in this version. So, we were working on certain things to get out of that, especially in batting area. I want all the players to play shots around the ground.
In bowling and fielding, the whole team is well aware of the plans and individually all players are aware of their responsibility.
How have the players responded to your coaching style?
They are very happy and they are keen to learn. My coaching style is not that players have to do what I am asking to. Rather, I want to improve on what they can do. There are so many talented players. We have worked on weak areas with all the players. So, we have improved a lot.
What are the challenges of coaching a team that had a coach like Roy Dias for a decade?
I am pretty sure, Dias has done so well. Junior teams have done so well, and players coming through the system are technically very correct. But my coaching style is different. I am lucky to have exposure in Twenty20 format, playing in Australia, and be part of the ICC´s High Performance Program during Canada´s build-up to the World Cup.
How do you rate Nepal?
I am sad to see Nepal in Division 4 [of World Cricket League]. During the ICC HPP, I trained with the top four non-Test playing nations that qualified for the World Cup and I know most players in those teams inside out. I don´t see much difference. We have better players and better set-up. Most teams have expatriate players. I want to see Nepal in Division 1 pretty soon.
So what Nepal lacks then?
Exposure. Players have to see better set-up and play better players to improve. We are at a fantastic location next to India. So, we need to use that advantage.
What difference in Nepal team are we going to see during the ACC Twenty20 Cup?
You will see a confident team where players will not be scared of any bowler or batsman. In T20, there is no time to think and plan, you go to center and play shots. You will see that aggression in Nepal team.
What can the fans expect from the team?
The crowd will enjoy Nepal team´s approach. I am pretty sure the team will not disappoint them at any time. It is all set to perform. I want to ask the crowd to keep supporting and I am sure they will. We need the whole crowd to be behind the team whatever the situation is.
Related story
Nepal cricket players to unite with former head coach Dassanaya...
-1778925320.webp)
