Although the weather was likely to affect the ICC U-19 World Cup Asia Qualifiers, there was no full cover covering the ground at Mulpani Stadium
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The ICC U-19 World Cup Asia Qualifying Cricket Tournament started last Saturday. However, the opening match was affected by the rain two days ago at Moolpani Cricket Ground. I was afraid that the unseasonal rain would not affect the competition.
Exactly one week after the opening, what was feared, finally happened on Saturday. Due to rain, the decisive match between Nepal and Afghanistan was canceled without a single ball being bowled. Nepal has had to pay a heavy price for this. The Nepali team failed to qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup next year in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Nepal had to win this match to reach the U-19 World Cup. A draw would have been enough for Afghanistan.
There was continuous light rain in Kathmandu Valley since Saturday morning. However, Moolpani Maidan was only half covered. The match referee and umpires, after inspecting the ground twice, canceled the match at 2 o'clock in the day as the ground was not fit to play a 20-20 over game.
The rain stopped at 10 am. Even though the 30-yard circle was dry, it did not cover all the wet areas adjacent to the boundary line. The Nepali U-19 team had to pay the price because the Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) could not understand the weakness of organizing such a big event and discovered it on the first day of the tournament. Although the rain was likely to affect the competition, the cans could not keep the full cover covering the ground in the water. It was obvious that the foams in the Super Supper were sticking up and not absorbing the water well.
For the first time, the spectators went to the Moolpani cricket ground to watch the game after buying tickets. Disappointed after the match was not played, they shouted slogans against Can. Earlier, in 2001 and 2005, Nepal U-19 reached the ICC U-19 World Cup after winning such a tournament held at home. Nepal, which has played the ICC U-19 World Cup eight times before, will have to wait 8 years to get there again.
"We started with the objective 3 months ago, but unfortunately the weather did not support it, and unfortunately we have to accept it," Shakti Gauchan, coach of Nepali U-19 said, "Anything could have happened if the game had happened. The performance we had in the series against Afghanistan set our rhythm and showed that they can be beaten. That's why we lost the golden opportunity to reach the World Cup.
Nepal and Afghanistan had won the first three games and reached the decisive stage. Afghanistan's net run rate was 4.81 and Nepal's 3.57. Nepal, Oman, UAE, Afghanistan and Hong Kong are participating in this tournament on a round robin basis. The winning team was scheduled to qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup. Afghanistan coach Raheesh Ahmadji said that his team has reached the World Cup by playing well. But he also said that it is unfortunate for Nepal and the team deserves the World Cup.
Nepal defeated Afghanistan by 1 wicket in the ICC U-19 World Cup held in South Africa last year. After that, Nepal won over Afghanistan in the Asia Cup held in UAE in November. Before this tournament, Nepal and Afghanistan U-19 played a three-match series, in which Afghanistan won 2-1.
