"We struggled in batting in the first two matches but played 50 overs in the last match. We were close to victory in the third match but unfortunately could not finish it off," Dassanayake summed up Nepal´s batting performance in the practice series. "Our top order got a chance to face quality bowling," he added. [break]
All the members of the Sri Lanka U-23 team were first class players and included some experienced players like Kithuruwan Vithanage, who had already played Test matches for Sri Lanka, and Akila Dhananjaya, who had already played one-day matches for Sri Lanka.
"We want to keep playing against such quality opponents. This tour would obviously help Nepali cricket in future as we are also preparing for the World Cup Qualifiers and the World T20 Qualifiers," Dassanayake told Republica over telephone.
The Nepali team got an opportunity to learn some bowling lessons from former Indian spinner and ACC development officer Venkatapathy Raju, and former Sri Lankan fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake, also a development officer at ACC.
"Basanta Regmi and Shakti Gauchan have been doing well as usual while the young boys also showed good signs," said Dassanayake.
Pun impresses coach
Coach Dassanayake said that Sagar Pun emerged as a good all-rounder during the practice tour. "Sagar (Pun) came up as a player who can contest at this level (against opponents like Sri Lanka U-23). He was good in batting and bowling, and brilliant in fielding as well," said Dassanayake. Pun had claimed six wickets in the third match, which Nepal lost by three runs.
"Avi (Avinash Karn) and Naresh (Ram Naresh Giri) were also impressive and they proved that they have a good future," he added.
Players not worried
Coach Dassanayake said that the players are not worried despite the four consecutive defeats. "We always want to win the matches we play but Sri Lanka U-23 was a quality opponent. They have maintained a certain level. We are also on that level but we are not used to playing at that level. We want to get used to performing at that level," said Dassanayake.
"We experimented in all the four matches and had some good experiences," he added.
Nepal is scheduled to play against a combined team of North-east Sri Lanka on Tuesday at the Moors Ground, Colombo. "We´ll field the team that would play in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup in Singapore in the Tuesday´s match," informed Dassanayake.
Plans for Singapore
Dassanayake said that his team would try to put up a good show in Singapore and try to win matches in the tournament slated for August 17-25.
"We´ll try everything to win matches during the tournament. We´ll try to be at par with Afghanistan in the tournament," said the coach, who guided Nepal to title victories in the ICC World Cricket League Division 4, Division 3 and ACC Trophy Elite.
The national team is scheduled to fly to Singapore from Sri Lanka on Thursday to take part in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup. Nepal has been drawn alongside India, Pakistan and Afghanistan for the tournament, which will feature the U-23 teams of Asian Test-playing nations.
Injury concerns
According to Dassanayake, skipper Paras Khadka, opener Pradeep Airee and Prithu Banskota have some injury problems.
"Pradep (Airee) and Prithu (Banskota) have some minor problems. Prithu didn´t play the last two practice matches because of it," said Dassanayake.
"However, Paras (Khadka)´s injury is a bit of a concern. Though he batted in the practice matches, he still has problems in bowling and fielding. He is an all-rounder in the team. I´m a bit worried since it is taking a long time to recover," he added.
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