Improved training crucial for Nepali U-19 women cricketers

Playing more practice games, foreign tours, exposure to international standards needed for development

Former national team skipper Rubina Chhetry and national team coach Binod Das have emphasized the need for quality practice games, foreign tours, and exposure to international standards to enhance the performance of the Nepali Under-19 women's cricket team.

Nepal's U-19 women's team is currently preparing for the ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, which will be held in Malaysia from June 1 to 7.

The team has been training at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur under the watchful eyes of head coach Das and assistant coach Rekha Rawal.

Former national team skipper Chhetry, who is also a member of the Cricket Association of Nepal's (CAN) women's cricket development committee, believes that the team has the potential to perform well in the upcoming tournament.

"The team has been training hard and they are all very talented players," said Chhetry. "But they need to play more practice games and go on foreign tours to get used to international standards.

"They also need to be exposed to different types of wickets and different types of bowling attacks.

National team coach Das echoed Chhetry's views, saying that the team needs more exposure to international competition.

"The team has been training well, but they need to play more practice games against stronger opposition," said Das.

"They also need to go on foreign tours to get used to different conditions and different types of wickets.

"If we can provide them with these opportunities, I am confident that they can do well in the upcoming tournament."

The Nepali U-19 women's team is scheduled to play a practice game against the Thailand U-19 women's team on May 25.

The team will then depart for Malaysia on May 28.

Nepal is placed in Group B of the ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, along with Thailand, Bhutan, and Malaysia.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Six stage of the tournament.

The top three teams from the Super Six stage will qualify for the ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, which will be held in South Africa in January 2023.