Mumbai, Feb 5 (PTI) Nepal, Scotland, and Italy, three Associate nations, are preparing to make a significant impact at the T20 World Cup, which begins on Saturday.
Although they lack a rich cricketing history, each team aims to capitalize on this prestigious platform.
The qualification journeys of these teams varied considerably. Nepal is on the rise, Scotland stepped in after Bangladesh withdrew due to security concerns, and Italy’s inclusion reflects the growth of cricket in Europe.
Team Leaders’ Perspectives
Captains of the teams recognize the importance of this opportunity. Wayne Madsen, the captain of Italy, emphasized the significance of participating in the T20 World Cup, stating, ‘Football is the main sport in Italy, but the opportunity for us to play in the T20 World Cup is hugely important for the country and it is about putting cricket on the map in Italy.’
Scotland’s captain, Richie Berrington, noted the unique circumstances surrounding their late qualification. He said, ‘Obviously it has been unique circumstances. There has been a quick turnaround for us coming into this tournament. And our preparations probably looked slightly different to some of the other teams coming into the competition.’ He added that Scotland has previously demonstrated their ability to compete at this level.
Nepal’s Ambitions
As they participate in their second consecutive T20 World Cup, Nepal seeks to make a lasting impression. Captain Rohit Paudel expressed the significance of this tournament, stating, ‘This World Cup is very important for us, especially for me and the team because after 10 years we (had) qualified for the 2024 World Cup and consecutively we are playing the second one.’
Paudel also shared his excitement about playing in Mumbai, where he hopes to inspire future generations. He remarked, ‘I am a big fan of Rohit Sharma but living up to the expectations (his name) will be a tough task for me. I hope I can make the fans happy.’
USA Captain’s Emotional Journey
For Monank Patel, the captain of the USA team, competing in India holds special significance. He stated, ‘As a kid, I always dreamt of playing a World Cup and never thought of playing a World Cup in India and representing USA. So it’s a great feeling and it’s not just for me, a lot of players in the team. And really excited to play the World Cup.’
Avoiding Controversy
During the media interaction, England and West Indies captains Harry Brook and Shai Hope were asked about Pakistan’s controversial withdrawal from a match against India. Brook responded cautiously, saying, ‘We just stay in our lane, that’s up to the ICC and whoever else is involved to have that agreement or disagreement.’ He emphasized their focus on enjoying the game.