The Nepali women’s cricket team heads to Uganda for a T20I series from March 8-16, looking to redeem themselves after a tough start to 2023. Coach Manoj Katwal is optimistic about their chances, emphasizing the team’s training and fitness improvements. Historical performance shows mixed results against Uganda and Hong Kong, but the team is focused on securing wins in the upcoming matches.
The Nepali women’s cricket team is on its way to Uganda to participate in a T20I series from March 8 to 16, alongside teams from Uganda, Hong Kong, and Namibia. Despite a challenging start to the year, where Nepal lost all six matches in a previous T20I tri-series against the Netherlands and Thailand, the team’s coach and captain are determined to turn their fortunes around. Coach Manoj Katwal emphasized the objective: “The trip to Uganda will be to win.
The squad comprises 14 players, finalized after a closed training camp involving 18 players. Coach Katwal acknowledged the importance of their recent training and reiterated that, despite past losses, the experience was valuable. He expressed optimism for the upcoming competition, stating, “Our opponents in Uganda will not be as tough as Thailand and the Netherlands.”
Team captain Indu Barma expressed confidence in their preparations, highlighting the study of Uganda’s playing conditions. Barma stated, “We are going to play good cricket, guide each other, and win the series.” Adding to their preparations, a strength and conditioning coach has been introduced, addressing fitness issues that previously impacted performance.
Nepal will face Namibia on March 8 to kick off the quadrangular series. Historical encounters with Uganda and Hong Kong show mixed results, with Uganda having improved significantly since their last meeting, where Nepal won the last two matches after losing the first three in 2022. The team remains focused, with Katwal stating, “Our team is balanced with experienced and young players,” while also acknowledging the opponents’ capabilities.
Nepal’s past experiences and squad changes highlight a blend of young talent and experience, preparing them for the competition ahead. The team’s commitment to improvement and their strategic preparations signal a promising endeavor in Uganda as they seek to secure a successful outcome in their campaign.
The Nepali women’s cricket team’s upcoming series in Uganda represents a pivotal opportunity for the squad to break their losing streak. With careful preparation and a mix of experienced players and youth, they aim to outperform their previous results against both familiar and new opponents. The team’s confidence and commitment to improvement highlight their determination to achieve victory in the series.
Original Source: kathmandupost.com