KATHMANDU, Nov 8: Lumbini captain Rohit Paudel believes the team's first defeat after four consecutive wins in the third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) has come at the right time, giving the side an opportunity to regroup ahead of the playoffs.
Speaking at a post-match press conference after losing to Kathmandu Gorkhas, Rohit said the setback could help the team improve. He remains confident that winning their next two matches would put Lumbini in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs.
He added that the defeat could strengthen the team's resolve to address its shortcomings.
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Rohit said the injury to Kishore Mahato forced the team to make changes, which affected its bowling during the first 10 overs.
Although the bowlers conceded too many runs in the final three overs, he defended the decision to use them, saying they had followed the team's plan.
Rohit felt that the target of 161 runs was achievable, but losing too many wickets during the powerplay put Lumbini under pressure. He backed Aasif Sheikh and D'Arcy Short to perform better in the coming matches.
He also welcomed Sandeep Jora's good innings and praised the bowling contributions of Jora and Abhishek Gautam.
Meanwhile, Kathmandu Gorkhas bowler Jahandad Khan said his performance would boost his confidence for upcoming matches.
He noted that conditions in the previous match had not favoured fast bowlers. However, the pitch in this game offered swing, allowing pacers to take wickets.
Jahandad also said the enthusiasm of Nepali supporters made playing in Nepal an enjoyable experience. He expressed confidence that Kathmandu Gorkhas would continue to perform well in the remaining matches.
