Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The pursuit of victory reigns supreme in every sport. However, reality often defies this expectation.
The world of competition has its nuances. Sometimes, simply being selected to participate in a tournament can stand as the pinnacle of triumph for some teams. Victory alone does not encompass the entirety of success. Valuable lessons can be learned from defeats particularly while playing against superior opponents.
The Nepali cricket team finds itself in precisely this scenario as it participates in the ACC Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan. The Asia Cup stands as the tournament of the best cricketing nations of Asia. Nepal is placed in a group alongside former World Champions India and Pakistan. Nepal’s inaugural match is against the hosts, Pakistan, at the renowned Multan Cricket Stadium. Not only is the Pakistan hosts, it is the top-ranked ODI team in the world at the moment.
Several Pakistani players, including Captain Babar Azam, are basking in the prime form of their cricketing careers. Babar Azam, reigning as the paramount batsman in ODIs, stands tall among the world’s finest in this category. Accompanying him are Pakistani batting stalwarts Imam Ul Haq and Fakhar Zaman, both of whom are ranked within the top 5 ODI batsmen.
On the other hand, India maintains its dominance in the cricket world. It is currently 3rd in the ODI rankings. These rankings hold no bearing for Nepal, as India and Pakistan are in the upper echelons of international cricket. This is the first time that Nepal is playing against these cricketing giants – a dream cherished for a long time.
Nepal earned its spot in the Asia Cup by securing victory in the ACC Premier Cup. The prospect of playing against India and Pakistan ignited greater enthusiasm among Nepali fans than the actual trophy. This enthusiasm is organic, considering that both fans and players of Nepal have grown up admiring the cricketing prowess displayed by India and Pakistan.
In a heartening gesture, Pakistan extended a warm welcome to the Nepali national team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been sharing glimpses of the Nepali cricketing contingent across its social media platforms. A notable instance was a video featuring Mohammad Rizwan conversing with Nepali players Sompal Kami and Kushal Malla.
🇵🇰🤝🇳🇵@iMRizwanPak interacts with the @CricketNep players in Multan.#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/MDcyO6oHFY
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 28, 2023
Nepal has consistently tasted success as per its level of play. The persistent query, however, has revolved around when the nation would elevate its cricketing standards. The selection for the Asia Cup answers some of these questions. But will Nepal continue to find itself in the privileged position of competing against these cricketing giants?
It is time to relegate these concerns to the background. The time has arrived to relish the sight of Nepali players rubbing shoulders with cricketing elites. Speaking to Nepali players, Mohammad Rizwan asserted that Nepal has rightfully secured its berth in the Asia Cup.
The Asia Cup serves as the grand stage for Nepali players to showcase their talents and create memories. Such memories remain unscathed by mere results. The memories that Nepal will create by playing against India and Pakistan will, naturally, make Nepali fans excited. The experience earned in the matches will be valuable for Nepal. Moreover, this spectacle will attract the younger toward cricket. The Asia Cup, indeed, represents a watershed moment in Nepali cricketing history.
In the words of Nepal’s head coach Monty Desai, this is not a tournament where Nepal strives solely for victories; rather, it is an opportunity to inscribe indelible memories. “Our players have watched Indian and Pakistani cricketers on television screens. The Asia Cup has provided them the opportunity to face them in the field,” Desai said.
Desai’s sentiment should ease the burden on Captain Rohit Poudel and his fellow team members. There is no point coming under pressure. This is because memories can be created when one are enjoying the game.
