Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has named an 18-member U-19 squad for the Asia Cup, led by fast bowler Hemant Dhami. Hemant has been playing cricket for six years, captaining regional teams and showcasing his talent at the national level. Earlier in 2023, he was selected for the U-19 World Cup squad but couldn’t play due to injury.
“When I saw my name on the World Cup team, I was thrilled and joined the training. I was well-prepared,” Dhami shared. “But a day before the match, I got injured and couldn’t play.” He recalls shedding tears over this missed opportunity. Now, he’s excited to lead Nepal on the international stage.
“This is a huge opportunity for me, a chance to move forward, and I am confident,” Dhami said. Four days ago, Dhami led his Sudurpashchim Province team to victory in the Naresh Shrestha Memorial U-19 One Day Cricket. He believes his recent success contributed to his selection as captain.
With national team captaincy, Dhami has intensified his preparation, focusing on leading his team to victory. “I have the confidence to bring results for my country. Captaining the U-19 team could be a foundation for the senior team one day, so I’m highly committed,” he shared.
Another source of motivation is the guidance of U-19 team coach Shakti Gauchan, whom Dhami considers his inspiration. “Watching him play on TV drew me to cricket, and captaining under him is exciting,” he said. Currently, Dhami practices twice daily: from 10 to 11 in the morning and from 2 to 8 in the evening.
Young Rhinos on the charge! 🦏⚡️
— CAN (@CricketNep) November 9, 2024
Presenting the squad that’s ready to roar at the ACC U-19 Asia Cup 2024!
Let’s make some noise for the future of Nepal cricket! 🇳🇵🔥#NepalCricket #ACC #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/ELRE0PnPtS
He is also playing in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) for Janakpur Bolts, seeing it as a key platform for young players. He explained, “A good performance here could help us reach the senior team, and it strengthens us financially as well.”
Originally from Bhimdatta Municipality-6, Aithpur, Kanchanpur, Hemant was born and raised in Mahendranagar, developing an interest in cricket from a young age. He joined the Kanchanpur Cricket Academy six years ago and quickly made a name for himself. Now, he covers his expenses through cricket earnings, noting that he has not had to ask his family for money in the past three or four years. “I’m listed as an emerging player by CAN, and sometimes domestic tournaments also help cover expenses,” he said. Hemant says his family fully supports his cricket journey.
With dozens of district and provincial matches under his belt, Hemant has a history of strong performances, including taking seven wickets in three matches at the 2076 PABSON Cup and nine wickets in the 2078 Wai Wai U-19 tournament. Recently, he led Kanchanpur’s U-19 selection and received the Young Player of the Year award at the fourth SPA Sudurpashchim Sports Awards.
In the 2023 U-19 World Cup qualifiers in UAE, Hemant’s standout performance helped Nepal secure a World Cup spot. He took two wickets against Singapore, two against Kuwait, three against Hong Kong, and contributed in other matches, showing his bowling skill.
Now, he teaches junior players how to take wickets, encouraging them to focus on practice and share knowledge. “I tell them to concentrate on training and pass on what I know,” he explained.
The Asia Cup, organized by the Asian Cricket Council, will be held in the UAE from November 29 to December 8. Nepal is in Group B with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, while Group A includes India, Pakistan, Japan, and the UAE.
Nepal’s matches are scheduled for December 1 against Sri Lanka, December 3 against Bangladesh, and December 5 against Afghanistan. The top team from each group will advance to the semifinals on December 7, with the final on December 9.
“We defeated Afghanistan in the World Cup, so we’ll be a challenging team for our opponents. This time, we’ll play even stronger,” Dhami declared.
