Nepal vs Scotland: Match preview

ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2013/14

Just Nepali Cricket/January 15

After facing huge margin defeat in the opening match, Nepal are playing against ODI nation Scotland in subsequent match of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Queenstown Events Centre, New Zealand on Thursday morning.

The competition is vital for Nepal as they already go down against the UAE by 102 runs and another defeat here will trim a expectation to achieve the World Cup spot as well as getting ODI status. However, Scotland is in the similar position as they did lose their inaugural match against Hong Kong by 17 runs.

Scotland has been a very tough competitor for Nepal in the past though they did not played a single 50 over cricket in senior cricket format. They last played at the ICC World Twenty20 Cup Qualifier, where Scotland edged Nepal by eight wickets with four balls remaining. They also defeated Nepali youth team in the plate championship quarterfinal of the U 19 World Cup in 2004, which was under Shakti Gauchan captaincy and at a match in the 2011 U-19 World Cup Qualifier.

Nonetheless, Nepal played their bowler well to post 137 runs in 20 overs in T20 Qualifier and it wasn't one-sided match either. The result would have been different if Nepal was able to get rid off Calum Macloed, who scored 82 runs among total 138 runs.Despite the defeat, Nepal reached the Twenty20 World Cup and on the other hand, Scotland was unable to do that.

Therefore, the game will be very close and interesting to watch for fans. We can expect a tough and balanced battle between Europian and Asian side.

Team News:

Late information about Subash Khakurel is that he will not play the match against Scotland. He was not able to play the official warm up matches and first game against the UAE due to fever and weakness. Coach Pubudu Dassanayake finally allow him to take rest deciding not to pick him while he is not fit for the match.

Nepali pacers bowled quite well at initial overs against UAE but drop catches hurt them very badly. However, Coach Pubudu Dassanakaye believes they will deliver success in the following matches. Pubudu said to Just Nepali Cricket that,' Jitendra and Sompal are bowling well. Still they lack experience and maturity, hope they will get support from fielding as well in next match'.

Reacting a question raised by Just Nepali Cricket about inclusion of Avinash Karna in second match, Pubudu said, 'I can't experiment in these matches, I need to go with the best guy available and I hope Sompal and Jitendra will do good'. Conversely, he denied the chance of playing three pacers against Scotland.

Likewise, There is high chance of Paras's absence due to his back strain injury, if that kept him out of the match, Sagar will bat at number three and Gyanendra will play at number four. If Paras play, then Sagar Pun's new batting position of number three is not certain against Scotland, as he is not playing according to situation more importantly he is not converting the start he is getting in to a big one. As a result, Gyanendra can retain his batting point if coach wishes Sagar to bat at lower order. Nevertheless, final decision about number three has not been made yet. The coach will wait until tomorrow for final resolution about Paras. Coach said the final XI depends upon Paras's condition,' We will look until tomorrow morning for his health. However, other players are capable to fill up the batting place but team will miss his experience and leadership, if he couldn't recover'. 

Moreover, Sharad is doing well at lower order but Shakti Gauchan's constant good batting at tail must made coach to rethink about his position, as he once batted in number three to five for Nepal. In last 10 official matches (except practice matches), Shakti was out once however he remained not out in five games plus he didn't got chance to bat in four matches including the matches in World Twenty20 Qualifier.

In addition, Scotland is very disappointed with the defeat against Hong Kong but their middle order batsman Preston Mommsen got century in that match. They are heavily relying on Matt Machan and Calum Macloed in batting. Pacer Ian Wardlaw and spinner Majid Haq is strength in bowling for Scotland team. They last played in the same ground so they have an edge against Nepal regarding the experience of playing in the ground.

Before the tournament, Scotland team rated Nepal as strong opponent so they are very much aware of Nepal's strength and weakness.

Nepal's probable XI

Mahesh Chhetri/Pradeep Airee, Anil Mandal, Gyanendra Malla, Paras Khadka, Binod Bhandari, Sharad Vesawkar, Sagar Pun/Prithu Bankota, Basanta Regmi, Shakti Gauchan, Sompal Kami, Jitendra Mukhiya.

Since Subash is not fit to play, Anil Mandal automatically retain his place as an opener. He deserves the place in the team. For another opener, the coach can choose either Pradeep Airee or stick with Mahesh Chhetri. If Airee got chance, Binod Bhandari or Gyanendra Malla have to play as wicket keeper. At number seven, Nepal is opting an all rounder, Sagar's bowling against UAE wasn't very lethal and many people said that Prithu have better statistics against UAE than Sagar, Hence if Prithu got place in the team then Sagar have to make way for him but that seems unlikely until now. If Paras not play tomorrow then Sagar will bat at three and Prithu will play at number seven.
Shakti is batting well in tail thus coach may promote him for some stability in middle order it needed however it was not revealed until now.

Scotland team:

Kyle Coetzer (c), Richie Berrington, Freddie Coleman, Matty Cross (wk), Gordon Drummond, Gordon Goudie. Majid Haq, Moneeb Iqbal, Michael Leask, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Preston Mommsen, Safyaan Sharif, Rob Taylor, Iain Wardlaw.

Scotland may go with same squad but they expect very good contribution from top order while batting. The game will start from 3:15 AM NST on Thursday.