The highly anticipated World Cup match between Nepal and Sri Lanka in the ninth edition hosted by the West Indies and the United States was abandoned due to heavy rain. The cancellation granted both teams a point each, keeping Nepal’s hopes of advancing to the Super 8s alive.

Coach Monty Desai expressed his disappointment, stating, “We wanted a game to be honest,” but remained focused on the future. Nepal now needs victories in their two remaining group matches against South Africa and Bangladesh in St. Vincent to secure a spot in the Super 8s.

Desai elaborated on the challenges faced by the ground staff due to the wet field conditions that led to the match’s abandonment. “Initially we were having a little bit of hope, but the amount of rain and to clear all the rain – the super soakers and the manpower that they have. I think one side of the ground had a lot more water, which was not easy to get it out and it was probably not going to be easy to play the game,” he said.

Desai expressed his desire for a full game and the return of star spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, emphasizing his potential impact on the spin-friendly tracks expected in the West Indies leg of the tournament. “Having Sandeep [Lamichhane] back in the dressing room will be a big boost,” Desai noted, acknowledging Lamichhane’s role in past victories. “Sandeep had an important role to play when we qualified. He was a core member of this team when we crossed the line against UAE and also when we fought so well against Oman.”

With one point on the board from two games due to the rain-affected match, Desai remains optimistic about the team’s potential. “We will focus on the next game and obviously we want the sun to shine and have a proper game,” he remarked. “We possess skill sets which we believe is good enough on that particular day if presented properly to challenge in this format any teams.” Desai highlighted the importance of the upcoming matches, especially against South Africa, a team Nepal has never faced before.

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