Nepal Cricket Consultant Coach Stresses Need for Performance Pressure and Stronger Domestic Structure

Mumbai. Nepali national cricket team's consultant coach Nick Pothas has stated that for real improvement in Nepal's cricket standard, players need more pressure for performance and the domestic structure must be strengthened. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday before playing the final match against Scotland in the T20 World Cup, Pothas urged the team not to repeat the mistakes made in the previous two matches. 

Nepal, which performed excellently at the start of the World Cup by losing to England on the last ball, was defeated very poorly by Italy and the West Indies in subsequent matches. Coach Pothas complained that although there is no lack of skill within the team, the players are not learning as quickly as expected. 

He emphasized the need for a strong grassroots infrastructure and a competitive environment for cricket improvement in Nepal. He argued that the team will only become strong if there is an environment where players constantly feel pressure to retain their place and perform excellently. 

He opined that although the standard of Nepal's domestic cricket and pitches are suitable for the Nepali style, even small mistakes prove costly on a big stage like the World Cup. Pothas stated that the team, which has received great support from Nepali fans, must deliver a memorable result to them in the final match of the World Cup. 

He also informed that he will discuss the team structure and improvements with Paras Khadka, the secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Indicating some difficulty due to having to work with different managements repeatedly, he pointed out that Nepali players need opportunities and experience to play high-level cricket outside their domestic circle.