Nepal will meet Denmark in the opening day of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2013, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said as it announced the schedule of the tournament which will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 15 to 30 November, 2013.
In exactly 100 days, sixteen sides from across the globe will feature in the 15-day tournament which will be played at seven venues – Dubai International Cricket Stadium and ICC Academy grounds No.1 and No.2 in Dubai, Zayed Cricket Stadium and Abu Dhabi Ovals 1 and 2 in Abu Dhabi and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The 16 teams have been divided into two groups with last year’s winner, Ireland, in Group A alongside Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, Namibia, Uganda, USA and the host United Arab Emirates, while Group B comprises of Afghanistan, Bermuda, Denmark, Netherlands, Nepal, Kenya, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Scotland.
t20quaNepal will then meet Kenya (November 16), Scotland (November 18), PNG (November 19), Netherlands (November 20), Afghanistan (November 22) and Bermuda (November 23).
During tour to UAE, Nepal will also play two practice matches – first with hosts UAE (November 12) and then with USA (November 13).
Australian batting coach Chris Harris said that he found the Nepali national cricket team professional and he expected it to qualify for the World T20 and the Cricket World Cup.
Harris, who is hired by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for a 10-day-long special training for the national team, at a press conference on Wednesday said he was surprised to see the batting capabilities of Nepali players.
“I’m waiting for the upcoming tournaments with my fingers crossed. And, I expect good batting performance by the Nepali team in New Zealand,” said Harris, who will return to Australia on Friday.
Harris, who is hired by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for a 10-day-long special training for the national team, at a press conference on Wednesday said he was surprised to see the batting capabilities of Nepali players.
“I’m waiting for the upcoming tournaments with my fingers crossed. And, I expect good batting performance by the Nepali team in New Zealand,” said Harris, who will return to Australia on Friday.
Four of Nepal’s and Thailand’s women cricketers are being sent by the ACC to play Division 1 cricket in Sri Lanka in August. “It’s a great opportunity for them to develop and knowing the set-up in Sri Lanka I am sure that they will benefit from being there,” says ACC Development Manager Bandula Warnapura. The cricketers funded by the ACC to Sri Lanka are Roshani Bohara and Rubina Chhetry of Nepal and Nattaya Boochatham and Sornnarin Tippoch of Thailand.