Coach Monty Desai on Nepal transformation: ‘Even I don’t know what has changed’

It is less than a year since the UAE struck their highest one-day international score, racking up a massive 348-3 against a Namibia attack that included franchise-cricket star David Wiese. And yet, so troubled have times been since, that day in Sharjah last March already feels sepia-tinted.

Forget about 300. The national team have managed to reach 200 just twice in their past nine innings in ODIs.

The issue needs addressing fast, because on Thursday, they face a fixture against Nepal in Dubai that could go a long way to deciding their World Cup qualifying fate.

The two sides are vying for the one remaining automatic qualifying berth for the global World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in June.

Ahead of the encounter, all the momentum appears to be with the touring side. While the UAE’s form has been fitful, at best, Nepal are on a roll having won five ODIs in succession.

In that time, Nepal have surpassed 200 in each innings. Three of those scores were in excess of 275, and the other two were successful run chases. Prior to that, they had gone 11 matches without reaching 200.

The run of form has coincided with the appointment last month of a new coach. The man himself, Monty Desai, a qualified mechanical engineer from Mumbai who was formerly a scout for Rajasthan Royals, says he is at a loss to explain the transformation.

“How has it changed? Even I don’t know, to be honest,” Desai said.

“I am just trying to play my role sincerely. Where we have connected well is that some of the boys have known me since Under-19 times.

“I am guessing they knew that my approach was going to be very similar to what I did at that time. We have been able to build trust together very quickly.

“The importance of roles, the importance of plans, and