If we have people like Paras Khadka taking care of Nepali cricket and fighting for the rights of cricketers, everyone can rest assured. He probably could have been a member of the present Nepali football squad because to quote him: “When young, I was a better football player than a cricketer.” But destiny had already booked a place for him, had already engraved his name as the captain of the Nepali cricket team and it was only obvious that he was to become one.
Does being a captain put you in an odd situation dealing with seniors like Shakti Gauchan, Binod Das, Mehaboob Alam?
Let me clear something here; me replacing Binod Das was blown out of proportion by certain section of the media. There is no friction. I started under him. One should know that someone someday will replace you. It is not a government job after all. Everyone has his day. I replaced him, someone else will replace me.
In the team, we have a close relationship with seniors and juniors. The first thing I did after being chosen the captain was tell everyone that there is no hierarchy and that we are all equal. While playing, there is no senior or junior. On the ground, I call everyone by their first names and nick names. But outside the ground, the respect has to be there and there is.
How is the party like after every win?
After every win, we often go together for dinner. But after the division 5 win, it was crazy. The celebration was on for the the whole week. We were invited by the Cricket board, sports council, sponsors, for felicitation. As long as you do well, everyone admires you.
How much is public support important?
The kind of success cricket has enjoyed in Nepal, no other sports has matched that. But there are times when things do not go well. That is the time we need people’s support the most. But maybe, it is the South Asian mentality-the public thrashes the team after a loss.
People’s participation is very important for sports to do well. And that is lacking in Nepal. People do not go out and watch matches.
Playing in your home ground is unbelievable. The support is magical. It is not that we haven’t played well outside. You feel secured when playing here. You go to the ground; you see people cheering you, taking your name, so naturally you want to perform your best. Many players outplay themselves on home grounds. It is always an additional support whatever sport it is. Just take for example, the match between Nepal and Jordan.
What is the role of sponsors like say Wai Wai- do they sponsor only the jerseys? In what other manners do sponsors help a team?
Senior players are sponsored by Pepsi & Standard Chartered. Sponsors provide the jersey and conduct the tournaments. But the players don’t get anything. We are promoting the brand for no apparent reason. Players should get something out of it.
What are the drawbacks in the Nepali cricket scene?
We can do so many things in cricket, but nothing has been done so far. Proper cricket administration must come into action. Until and unless the players get something, they are not motivated. Exposure to good playing facility and training helps. Until and unless you play with outside players, the performance will have no astounding progress. Also, if we can travel during the off seasons, players can benefit a lot. If you have an agent, you can go and play anywhere you like and you benefit or else stay here and do nothing apart from going to the gym and train on your own. Sadly, we have no proper agents for us to sell our cricketing talent through.
Do you exhibit your emotions on the ground? Yelling, cursing, at the opponent, the empire, yourself, at the boys?
I don’t much exhibit my emotions on the ground. I don’t make a scene on the ground. Inside the dressing room, I do everything. It’s more to do with counselling in personal level individually. You cannot over-react on the ground. One has to play within the parameter.
Which aspects of cricket are we lacking in- fielding, batting?
It is not only with Nepal, but in the international cricket, most of the new emerging countries lack in batting. Countries like Bangladesh, Zimbabwe are good in fielding, bowling but lack in scoring great numbers because exposure is needed for batting. You need to play against better teams and better bowlers. You need to play a lot of matches.
Who decides the batting line-up?
The coach, captain and the vice-captain in consultation with team mates.
Who appoints the captain?
Three selectors and the CAN.
What is it with CAN and the players and the constant controversies?
Our main concern is the efficiency of CAN. Earlier when we didn’t have any ranking, the players were treated the same, the system was the same and now that we are No.1 in Asia (excluding the test playing nations), no developments have been seen.
Administration wise, people don’t have any interest in cricket. There has been no improvement, no development.
Is there money in Nepali cricket?
Nobody gets anything. You don’t get paid to play cricket in Nepal. Everyone plays because we are passionate about cricket and we want to play for the country. Players earn from the coaching that they do at various schools & colleges. For example, I teach cricket to the students at Premier College and St. Paul’s. Also, if you have a sound family, it helps. We don’t earn money by playing here. You go on a tour, the daily allowance is the only thing you get. There is no contract system in Nepal. There is only fame. We only make a name for ourselves. CAN is run by passive people- like our country is led by passive politicians. Many people have left cricket because of the lack of financial aid.
I haven’t been paid anything after my SLC. My colleges have provided me funds. In fact, the gesture on the part of the college should be applauded.
So, that means even the coaches are not paid?
Roy Luke Dias used to earn probably around $ 4,000 a month, but he deserved it. Irony is that when a coach is paid that amount, the players don’t get anything. We get zero—big Zero. Just imagine the difference between a coach and his players.
Tell us about APF and its cricket team.
After so many years, and thanks to APF, cricket players in Nepal are earning money. We are 16 players in APF. They are paying us throughout the year. And if you want to join the force, you can. If you have done your Bachelors you can be an Inspector. Thus, most of the players are looking forward to playing for APF. We take part in regional matches and recently the team participated in the India tour and now NCell is our sponsor. APF has set a benchmark. If there are institutions like APF that hire sportsmen, then only can players do well.
How did you get into cricket?
I never planned to play cricket. I was very good at studies. Maybe I could have been an engineer- an architect. When I was in school (South Point, Buddhanagar), there was U-15 interschool cricket tournament and I was the captain from my team. And then I got selected to play from Kathmandu in the U-15 cricket team. From U-15, then played for U-17, U-19 and then into the senior level. Even when I was U-19, I never thought that I would be selected for the national team. I used to look at Binod Das, Paresh Lohani and Shakti Gauchan and was awed by them.
What motivates you?
Playing for the country is a great motivation. I never planned to be playing for the country. There are people cheering for you and you have your family- that is motivation enough. Things have happened to me. That is why I believe in destiny.
Do you take tips from the captaincy of other players? Whose captaincy has inspired you so far?
Shane Warne, the captain of Rajasthan Royals. It is a different story that he never was a captain of his country. He is flamboyant but when he is on the ground, he is a fighter. I like the way he does his field setting. Rajasthan Royals though a mediocre team, won the first IPL under him.
Another is Stephen Fleming because he is calm and collective. He doesn’t show much emotion on the ground.
What are the attributes that a captain needs to possess?
Must be very communicative with the players. You can’t be a dictator. If you conduct yourself properly, the players will listen to you. You have to know your players’ positive side and weak points as well.A captain has to be unbiased. He has to be fair.
At times, a captain has to take risks. If I send someone to open, and that clicks, then everyone appreciates the decision. As long as it is for the general interest/benefit of the team, the decision is good.
Do you consider yourself a successful captain?
We have done well, but we have a long way to go. Outside Nepal, we haven’t won any tournament. As a captain you can do a lot. I don’t want people to say that I didn’t do enough for the team/cricket. I have a long way to go. Just because you have won a tournament does not mean much. I would consider, 2006 U-19 Plate Championship in the World Cup, being the winner of Division 5, winning the NSJF Player of the Year 2067 award, and becoming the captain of Nepal as my career highlights.
Who according to you is the best opening batsman? Who can you as a captain depend on when you have to bring in a fast bowler and a spin bowler depending on the state of the match?
Opening Batsman: Anil Mandal. He has been doing well as an opening batsman.
Fast Bowler: I would bet on Amrit Bhattarai (but we still have a lot of improvement ahead).
Spin Bowler: Basanta Regmi is the most reliable spin bowler for me.
How important it is for a successful captain to be a successful player? Or is it even important?
If the captain doesn’t play well, there will always be doubts about him. If someone gets dropped, that player can always point a finger at the captain if he isn’t playing well. A captain has to handle himself well and be honest.
Does too much media coverage and too many product endorsements distract a sportsperson’s focus from the sport?
All that will depend on the way you perform on the field. All these things should not affect the performance. As long as you do well on the field, look at Sachin. No one questions him appearing on every other ad because he is brilliant on the ground.
I signed a contract, a two- year commitment with Demak Bikes- Agni Incorporated Private Limited. As a player, everyone would love to do endorsements. But you cannot go out there and plead with the corporate houses to take you since we don’t have agents. Here in Nepal, the corporate houses contact the players directly.
Match-fixing, spot fixing- what is your reaction to these?
No way, you can’t cheat in sports. You should penalize people who do it. If you want to do all that, you should stop playing. With the ICC rules, now you cannot hide anything from the media, so may be players will think hundred times before deciding to do any such activity.
Do you see your future without cricket?
I will always be associated with cricket. I earned a name because of cricket.
Who do you see as the future captain?
Prithu Baskota has a very good chance. He has the potential to take the challenge. But maybe Gyanendra Malla will replace me since he is the vice-captain. But it could be anyone other than them as well. But it could well be anyone other than them as well.
But there is no time period to captaincy. I can be the captain for the next ten years. It depends on the result, your performance. What one should never forget is that somewhere someone is always better than you. As long as you are in that position, do your best, do the right thing and not take your position for granted.
Do you consider 20-20 real cricket?
20-20 has commercialized cricket. IPL has transformed the way cricket is perceived. It has brought money into cricket and players’ lives. But the real ricket is Test cricket followed by 50-over ODI format.
What are the cricketing events, that cricket fans in Nepal should look forward to?
ACC 20-20 trophy, which will be held in Nepal in December. It is going to be huge. And next year, in 2012, there is the Division 4 league in USA and the ACC trophy.
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