Nepal to prepare for World T20 qualifier in Dharamsala

Monday, 1 June 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Nepal’s World Twenty20 probables will train in Dharamsala, at the facilities of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, from June 5 to 20 to prepare for the World T20 qualifier in July. The decision is in line with BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur’s commitment to offer help to India’s neighbouring country, which is recovering after a devastating earthquake last month.

A 22-member squad will participate in a 15-day camp, to prepare for the qualifier which will be held in Ireland and Scotland between July 9 and 26. According to a BCCI insider, Dharamasala was finalised as the venue for the camp not because it is Thakur’s home turf but due to the fact that the conditions were closest to those in Ireland and Scotland in July.

It is understood that if the Cricket Association of Nepal requests, the BCCI will also make some of its certified coaches available to help Nepal cricketers fine-tune their skills.

Nepal made their mark in international cricket by qualifying for the 2014 World Twenty20. However, they couldn’t get past the group stage, finishing second after Bangladesh in Group A with two wins in three games.

The team was granted T20 international status in June 2014, along with Netherlands.

Their preparations for the 2015 World T20 qualifier were dealt a severe blow after the earthquake on April 25, which claimed more than 8,000 lives.