Kamal Ghorui
Nepal head coach Stuart Law criticised his team after their 10-wicket loss to Italy in the T20 World Cup, saying the players had “not shown commitment” and must block out “nonsense” on social media to focus on cricket.Nepal had earlier pushed two-time champions England in a high-scoring match but failed to carry that performance forward. Against tournament debutants Italy, they were beaten without taking a wicket.Law said social media plays a major role in the lives of Nepal’s players but can become a distraction during a global event.
“Social media is a massive part of the Nepalese culture,” Law told reporters when asked what steps he had taken to ensure dressing-room discussions translated into on-field performances, especially after the contrasting nature of Nepal’s first two outings.“If we’re focusing on what we’re doing on social media, (or) on what people are saying about us on social media, and not focusing about what the team needs (or even) what the teammates are saying, and (what) the game requires, you’re distracted from your actual job,” said Law.“I’m trying to strike a happy medium with the players so (as to) make sure they’re focused on their cricket, number one, and the rest of the nonsense that I call it.“It’s a difficult one (call) because I know a lot of players rely on it to gain endorsements and sponsorship, etc. But I also think that the World Cup cricketers — I’ve tried to explain to them — that if we keep winning games at cricket, your likes will go up anyway,” he said.Law added that success on the field would automatically improve their reach online.“You don’t have to keep showing your face. If you show that cricket in Nepal is going forward and we’re winning games at cricket, your attraction on social media will go through the roof,” Law said, revealing his message to the players.“I’ve said that to the boys today, get that away from cricket. Do it away from cricket. When you’re at cricket, do your cricket. Maybe the distraction from the heist of nearly beating England, and the people from around the world at cricket (including) the greats of the game… (all) that is nice to hear, but you’ve still got to remember we lost,” Law said.He said the drop in performance against Italy reflected a lack of focus and mental strength.“To go from that high (against England) to then go to the extreme low four days later, that’s not showing mental toughness,” he said.“That’s not showing commitment to your team, to your country, to your family, et cetera, to your teammates. We need to make sure that we understand that we need to do that better.”Law also confirmed that captain Rohit Paudel had a stomach issue but is expected to play on Sunday.“There’s been a bit of fever going around the World Cup, some stomach issues, etc. But he had a fever last night. He took medicine. He should be fine for tomorrow (Sunday),” Law said.
