No alternative left but to win

Sandeep Lamichhane returns as captain of the Nepal national cricket team, facing the immediate challenge of guiding the squad through a series of must-win fixtures. The team's objective is to retain their One Day International (ODI) status and qualify for the prestigious Asia Cup.

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It’s less about the title of captain and more about how we move forward together as a team.

Lamichhane, who was training at the TU International Cricket Ground, spoke about stepping back into the leadership role, previously held by Rohit Kumar Paudel. He views the captaincy as an opportunity to unite the team and build upon the legacy left by his predecessor. "It’s less about the title of captain and more about how we move forward together as a team," Lamichhane stated. He stressed the immense responsibility to keep the squad cohesive and focused on setting a standard for Nepali cricket.

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Of course, there is a lot of responsibility on my shoulders to keep the boys united.

The team's current standing in the World Cricket League has placed them in a precarious situation, requiring them to win their remaining four matches. Lamichhane acknowledged that the team should not have allowed themselves to reach this point but remains resolute. "Every single opportunity coming our way right now is incredibly important, and we have no alternative left but to win," he declared. He believes that securing victories in these upcoming games will place Nepal in a strong position to maintain their ODI status.

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Every single opportunity coming our way right now is incredibly important, and we have no alternative left but to win.

Addressing Nepal's recent struggles in away matches, Lamichhane attributed the poor results largely to unfavorable playing conditions rather than a lack of effort. He noted that while the team gave their all, the outcomes did not reflect their true standard. "Still, I feel we put up a good fight in every game," he said. Looking ahead to matches in Oman and Malaysia, Lamichhane emphasized the importance of thorough preparation, including practicing on similar pitches, and expressed high confidence that the team will perform well if they execute their plans together.

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If we win our remaining four CWC League-2 games, we will definitely be in a strong position to save our ODI status.