Monty Desai hails Nepal's young group in the midst of CWC23 Qualifier fire

Taking the coaching position in February, Desai's influence on the side has correlated with an outstanding period of form. Beating the USA to push on at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, they also claimed 11 out of 12 ODI wins to lock up a spot at the event, on top of qualification the Asia Cup later in the year.

The 2023 group on paper is arguably the strongest squad the team has sent to a Cricket World Cup Qualifier, and unquestionably the group with the most potential. Paras Khadka, Shakti Gauchan, Basant Regmi and others left their ever-lasting legacy on the country's cricket, though it could be said that any member of the travelling group could finish with their name in the same breath of Nepal legends.

Of the 16 players travelling to Zimbabwe, just Gyanendra Malla and Karan KC are over the age of 30. Four players are still in their teens, and the team is led by a 20-year-old in Rohit Paudel.

Having overseen the likes of Afghanistan, UAE, the West Indies and IPL teams in coaching roles, and Canada as head coach, the well-credentialed Desai has deflected praise on him back to his players, and sees plenty in a group ready to take the next step playing against tough opponents at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

"They are hungry to learn. They’re hungry to perform at this level," Desai said.

"They want to be seen as one of those competitors who can earn a lot of respect to this level. So I'm excited for them."

Desai had to hit the ground running when appointed, linking up with captain Paudel, who had only taken the captaincy two months prior. Early on, Desai saw the leader behind the young eyes.

“He brings in, most importantly, the curious mind," Desai begins, hailing the skipper's willingness to grow.

"He's someone who wants to learn a lot. Not just learn how to bat better, because obviously he's getting challenged by a lot of these new team's conditions, also as a leader. My partnership with him has been really good so far.

Nepal were forced to try new things having been marooned near the bottom of the League 2 table, at one stage staring down the possibility of losing their ODI status, and forced to go through the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off in order to keep their dreams of India 2023 alive.

The team played an astonishing 32 players in the League 2 period of four years and 36 matches. Paudel featured in 33 of those encounters, of which 16 were as the skipper.

In a desperate bid to turn the campaign around, Desai and Paudel sat together and left no stone unturned in their plans. They stuck with 11 players who played at least 10 of the 16 matches, and welcomed the return of Lalit Rajbanshi, coming back from injury to take 15 wickets in nine games during the stretch.

"You know, coming over here with those X number of wins, which we're always proud about talking, we had also taken some tough decisions," Desai added.

"He was involved equally in those tough decisions with me.

"I'm very happy with the way he's progressing.”

Of utmost importance in their campaign was the contribution of everyone in the squad. It may take just one player to win a match on any given day, though in the throes of gritty, contextual Associate cricket with careers and futures on the line in League 2, it takes a group of men. Unlike Nepal teams of old, the side of today is characterised by its well-rounded group of players. Two players to stand up have been 17-year-old Gulshan Jha, and 21-year-old Bhim Sharki.

A reliable bowling option, Jha also provides a point of difference with the bat as a left-hander, who plays almost in the mould of another young starlet: India revelation Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Desai says Jha is further along than first projected, and there should be franchise suitors keeping tabs.

“We're still considering him as someone who needs to polish his skills, keep training hard and just keep working hard," Desai noted.

“But when given an opportunity, I think he has surprised all of us. He has shown that he can be a match winner.

“And I'm excited about this young kid the way he's grooming, not just for this national team, but he's got quite a few opportunities coming his way.”

Jha has been an aggressor with the bat, typified with a 48-ball half century against UAE to help Nepal complete their run to a Qualifier spot, while teammate Sharki, who made 67 off 76 balls in the same match, is lauded for his measure in the middle overs.

Compact in technique, busy at the crease, Bhim has been the glue of a batting order desperate to post imposing totals. Ever consistent, and posting good scores in the League 2 and ACC Premier Cup campaigns, he has since shown his quality at the Qualifier, scoring 77* in a solid performance against the USA. It puts his ODI average up to over 45.

Often moved around the batting order, Desai says Bhim's willingness to do whatever is best for the team sets him apart as a consummate operator.

“Bhim Sharki has been a story in itself. My first experience of Bhim was in the Under-19s team when I was involved the Under-19 Asian Cup," Desai said.

"What he brought to the table was that he was always willing to dive into the team roles.

“And during the camp in January, when he was involved in that 30-player squad, the way he emerged from that with constant learning, constant questions, constant training and then given a role in the team."

The youngster also brings his energy to the field, to the point where he's been given the nickname of "Jonty", as a point to generational fielding sensation Jonty Rhodes.

The pair crossed paths at a Nepali domestic tournament in late 2018, and the former South African international who now spends his time coaching and commentating has kept tabs on Bhim's progress.

As if Sharki needed any more reassurance, his national team coach too believes there is a long future providing he continues to exhibit the same "curious mind" he, Paudel, and the rest of the group have shown.

"He has grabbed (his opportunity) with full hands. And at the moment we are just happy the way he is progressing," Desai added.

"He looks like someone who's going to be around the Nepal team for a long time."

Ahead of the young group though is their toughest test. In quite possibly their most-anticipated clash, Nepal's squad and the best part of 30 million fans at home look to a meeting with the West Indies on June 22. They then finish the group stage taking on the Netherlands, the side they claimed their first ever ODI victory against back in 2018. It could well be the match that determines who of the pair progress to the Super Six stage.

Desai vows his men will not be shrinking violets in the heat of the Qualifier.

"I think all these youngsters who are in the squad, they understand the importance of it. They want to respect these opportunities, and the exposure, the games which we get at the highest level," Desai said.

"These youngsters, you know, who have got a platform and I just hope that this platform which they have received with so much of hard work, becomes a telling story for them.

“I think we are on an exciting journey, building our own story."