The match between Nepal and New Zealand in Group D will kick off at 08:45 NST. Nepal is in Group D along with three-time champion India, New Zealand and Ireland in the tournament that kicked off formally on Wednesday.
Nepal, which is targeting to sail into the second round, has better record in the age-group tournament against the Kiwis and the team is once again eying an upset and to book its place in the second round.
Nepal, which is playing its seventh youth world cup, had defeated the same opponent by a wicket while claiming the Plate Championship title during the 2006 U-19 World Cup held in Sri Lanka.
“We are targeting to reach the second round as we have had good preparation for the tournament. We are also targeting to beat at least one Test-playing nation as anything can happen in cricket,” said team skipper Raju Rijal before leaving for Bangladesh. India and New Zealand are the Test-playing nations in the group.
Nepal has realistic chances of making it to the second round as the group includes Ireland whom Nepal beat twice in the ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifiers held in Malaysia last year. Ireland got the opportunity to play in the world cup following the withdrawal of Australia from the tournament citing security concerns. Similarly, Nepal could be in the second round if it produces an upset against either New Zealand or India.
Before leaving for the tournament, the team's head coach Jagat Tamata said that the team will play its cards right and will not be over conscious about Test-playing nations.
“We play all-round game depending on the spinners most of the times. We will not be bothered whether our opponent is a Test-playing nation or not as we will play as per our strength,” said Tamata.
Nepal played two practice matches against Afghanistan during its India tour for the preparation and played warm-up matches against Pakistan (Jan 24) and Sri Lanka (Jan 25) during the curtain raiser of the world cup. However, Nepal lost all its matches.
Nepal can benefit from bowling coach Binod Das during the world cup as Das has featured in two U-19 world cups. Nepal had defeated teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Kenya during 2000 and 2002 world cups when Das was in the team. Nepal has also defeated South Africa in the past.
“I will try to pass on my experience of the youth world cups to the players,” said Das before leaving for Bangladesh. He also added that the team will try to execute its plans to perfection.
Nepal will take on Ireland on Saturday and plays against India on Monday in its other group matches.
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