Nepal will look for a new beginning as they prepare for a high-intensity clash against Namibia in the ICC World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) at a sold out TU Stadium on Saturday.

In a tournament that provides 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifiers berth for top four teams, winless Nepal are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table. To stay in hunt for the top four spot, Nepal face a tough task to beat Namibia in both the matches.

Having seen his side choke in the three previous matches–one against Scotland and two against Papua New Guinea (PNG)–Nepal skipper Paras Khadka wants to put the disappointment behind and start afresh.

“Its a tough level to compete. We played well in our last three matches in the first two rounds but unfortunately the results didn’t go our way. We are looking for a new beginning. There will be lot of support for us and we will turn it into motivation,” Khadka said on the eve of the match.

“There were mistakes that we had made during those games and it gave us a lesson that we cannot afford to commit mistakes at this level. Playing well for 95 overs is not enough, we need to do it for 100. We cannot be complacent until we get across the finishing line,” added Khadka.

Nepal last played Namibia–who have just one victory in four matches–during the WCL Division 2 at their home town in Windhoek and won the match by three wickets on January 21, 2015.

Namibia skipper Stephan Baard acknowledged the intensity of the game adding his side was eager to see how it feels to play under a massive turnout. “Its a very big game because both teams will be looking for points. Its exciting to play here but we honestly don’t know what to expect,” said Baard.

“The match is very important especially when you realise that Nepal want to win as much as we do. Playing away against big crowd is going to make things more difficult. We have not played under this crowd and we are excited to see how it turns up tomorrow,” said the Namibian captain. Namibia coach Dee Thakur said his side was well geared up for the game.

“We prepared for a month playing on turning wickets like these. Travelling this far, you never know what to expect because Nepal are very competent and tough to play. There will be a big pressure to play against a big crowd but we will enjoy it,” said Thakur.

Nepal coach Jagat Tamatta wants his side to take full advantage of home conditions. “The pressure will be on Namibia and we have to capitalise on it,” said Tamatta.

After the injury to regular opener Subash Khakurel and Anil Mandal, Nepal will open innings with new pair of Naresh Budhayer and Gyanendra Malla. Sagar Pun will come at No 3 followed by Khadka. Rookie Raju Rijal is poised to make his debut but Tamatta didn’t want to elaborate further in the batting line up.

“We will decide on the batting combination after assessing the pitch conditions tomorrow. The batting line-up is good and our spin department will always be the strength,” said Tamatta. Nepal’s dilemma will also be to choose between the two rookies—leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane and left-arm orthodox bowler Sushan Bhari Shrestha—in the playing XI.

While veteran spin duo Shakti Gauchan and Basanta Regmi have their place cemented along with seamer Sompal Kami, fast bowler Karan KC and batsman Rajesh Pulami Magar might stay on the sidelines.

Tickets sold out

The tickets for Nepal’s ICC World Cricket League Championship match against Namibia has been sold out on Friday, a day before the game. Although E Sewa was entrusted to sell 15,000 tickets, the sales was closed after 10,000 were sold. International Cricket Council (ICC) has been solely looking after the management of the two matches. “Lesser tickets were sold in order to provide a better management to the 10,000 spectators,” said Cricket Association of Nepal Chief Executive Chhumbi Lama.

‘Tribute to Raymond’

Namibia skipper Stephan Baard on Friday said his side will seek to give a fitting tribute to his deceased teammate Raymond Van Schoor by defeating Nepal in their two games. The 25-year old Van Schoor, a middle order main stay of Namibia, had passed away on November 21 after suffering on-field stroke. “Its a big gap in the middle order that Raymond has left. That gap has to be felt and that’s not easy. He will be up there watching us as well. We have not played international cricket since the passing of Van Schoor. If we can have two wins, it will be a great tribute for him as well,” said Baard.

Tight security

The ICC World Cricket League Championship matches between Nepal and Namibia will be played under a tight security. Nepal Police is deploying a total of 647 security personnel for the two matches with 123 of them forming a three layer security for 10,000 spectators, informed Nepal Police Inspector Subash Khadka. The TU ground will have seven CCTV cameras, five of them movable. The spectators are not allowed to carry any solid object with them including water bottle. Nepal had had a bad experience of going through crowd trouble during international matches in the past.