Determined Cricketer Abhishek Pal Chases National Team Dream Despite Setbacks

Dhangadhi. Abhishek Pal, the tenacious cricketer who features as an opening batsman for the Sudurpashchim Province cricket team, continues to take to the field with the dream of joining the national squad. Meeting him a few days ago at the Phapla Cricket Ground in Dhangadhi, he expressed his aspiration to play for the national team.

Abhishek, from Milan Chowk, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-2, completed 10 years of holding a bat recently. For a decade, he has been consistently frequenting the ground, carrying his sports bag on his shoulder and a cricket bat in his hand.

He is recognized as a rising player among the struggling cricketers in Sudurpashchim Province. The strongest aspect of his cricket journey is his consistency. He always shows up for practice.

'It is difficult to put into words how much effort I put in,' Abhishek said, 'But I can say this much: out of 365 days in a year, perhaps only about a week have I missed going to the ground. Except when I am sick or have an urgent matter, my address is the cricket ground.'

In these 10 years spent in cricket, Abhishek has faced many ups and downs. The most difficult time in his career came when he broke his arm during practice. Due to the injury, he was forced to stay off the field for nearly two years.

Those two years were extremely challenging for him mentally. On one hand, the pain of being away from the game, and on the other, the worry about whether he could return to his old form. He did not give up.

After treatment, he returned to the field with even stronger self-confidence. Upon returning after two years, his batting showed added maturity.

Abhishek has been participating in national-level tournaments representing the Sudurpashchim Province team. So far, he has played in more than seven major national tournaments representing the province.

He is currently handling the opening batting for Sudurpashchim in the Prime Minister's One-Day Cricket Tournament taking place in Madhesh Province. Recently, he was also selected through the 'Talent Hunt' for Sudurpashchim Royals in the Nepal Premier League (NPL).

Abhishek considers not getting a spot in the final-11, despite being selected for the team, as 'a game of luck.'

Despite 10 years of continuous hard work and playing in more than seven national tournaments, he has not yet succeeded in making it to the national team. However, this has not diminished his confidence.

'My job is to perform excellently on the field and work continuously,' Abhishek said, 'Selection or non-selection depends on many technical aspects. I believe my time will also come. The dream of wearing the country's jersey and stepping onto the international field is still alive.'

According to Abhishek, there is no 'shortcut' to success. Every practice and every match teaches him something. This learning and experience are what propel him towards his goal.

Alongside cricket, he is also pursuing his education. He is currently studying at the undergraduate level at SP College in Dhangadhi. 'A player must always be disciplined and aware,' he said, 'And education plays an important role in that.'

In the early days of his cricket journey, he did not have strong family support. His family was worried that joining sports might ruin his studies. The situation has changed now.

The family's trust and support both increased after Abhishek started playing at the national level from the province level.

Currently, he receives the greatest encouragement from his family. Due to this family support and his own continuous hard work, he remains hopeful of securing a place in the national team in the future.