Blueprints and one-ball battles: Desai’s mantras and goals for Nepal

Nepal's buy-in to Desai's mantra has been as clear as the Zimbabwe sky at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, having gone from a team picking up the pieces in a League 2 re-build, to an intimidating outfit in a fight for India 2023 spots within 40 days.

Their run from second-last to an automatic spot is now widely acknowledged around the cricket world, though for the team, and for the fans back home, there are further checkpoints to reach.

In front of them, a showdown with the Netherlands, a must-win game to keep their Super Six and World Cup dreams alive. They then would likely need the West Indies beating the Dutch on the last day of Group A action on Monday, and as the odd team out on the final day of Group A, Nepal, nervous watchers, will be forced to learn their fate as witnesses.

Just like in 2018 when Nepal claimed their first ODI victory, the side are fittingly facing the Dutch to move forward once more. For coach Desai however, Super Six qualification and a chance at Cricket World Cup Qualification won’t necessarily define the campaign in Zimbabwe.

“I think one of the successful blueprints for us has been planning well, preparing well with whatever information that we can gather. And then again, you know, trusting our skills, backing our strengths," Desai told ICC.

“I want to see how they walk from the dressing room to that centre stage, facing these Full Member teams and to fight. Fight until the end.

“You know, because we have agreed that our deepest identity is (as) fierce competitors."

While not a League 2 combatant in the recent cycle, the Dutch have history with Nepal. On top of the World Cricket League matches of yesteryear, the team’s inaugural ODI in Amstelveen was a significant moment. Nepal's first victory, coming in the second match of the series, was as spectacular as it was monumental.

Another contribution to their “Cardiac Kids” moniker, Nepal won the match by a solitary run off the final ball of the match, with captain Paras Khadka defending six off the final over, and sealing victory with a rare run out, needing to uproot a stump with the ball in his hands at the non-striker’s end.

Five years on, the side have evolved. Up to six players will feature in the Dutch encounter on Saturday, though another generation of players have come through to join them on their quest. Stakes are higher this time too, as the pair battle for the last Super Six spot in Group A.

In no way downplaying the significance of the situation, Desai isn't necessarily results driven in Harare. Insisting the team to control what they can control, it is their intent that will dictate how he and the millions back home should assess them.

“For me, the success will be their attitude. Their success will be their attitude," he noted.

“They have taken a lot of interest in keeping this happy dressing room in place. The calm dugout.

“I think these young boys have got a dream that they're chasing and they deserve to be seen. All I'm looking for is that competition in those one-ball battles."

In Nepal, there’s a saying that roughly translates to "pouring water on sand": a waste of resources, time, or effort.

Winning is top of mind for Desai, though for the mastermind, if his team happen to end up on the wrong side of the result, no sand will go sludgy.

Almost the entire squad would likely be in the mix on the path to the 2027 Cricket World Cup in Africa, and the experience of 2023, winning their individual battles, would go a long way to continued, collective development.

An Asia Cup campaign is around the corner too, and for the head coach, more challenges will only prime the team further for future greatness.

“For me, the importance of qualifying for the Asia Cup is huge because again, they get a platform to be seen, a platform where they can, you know, show their skills, their talent, and hopefully they'll be earning some respect there too," Desai said.

“Full member teams around Nepal, the neighbouring countries, you talk about India, talk about Pakistan, talk about Bangladesh, talk about Afghanistan, Sri Lanka.

“This is one small country just around them, and they also work very hard. They sweat very hard.

“To my knowledge, with all these Full Member teams, they will be looking out for this team."