Ian Harvey Impressed by Nepal Squad's Talent: Nepal cricket should be very proud

Former Australian international Ian Harvey, who recently joined Nepal as the Bowling Consultant Coach, has spoken highly of the Nepali squad, calling the group talented, hardworking, and a team the country should be proud of.

Harvey, appointed by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) ahead of Nepal's key international preparations, said he has only spent a few days with the squad so far, but the energy inside the dressing room and the players’ hunger to improve have already impressed him.

Reflecting on his own journey, the Australian coach shared that his love for cricket began in a familiar backyard setting. Growing up with three brothers, he spent countless hours playing cricket at home, which naturally built his passion for the sport. He believes those early experiences shaped him both as a player and later as a coach.

He explained that coaching, for him, is about passing on real-life lessons — not only the good moments but also the difficult phases that every cricketer goes through. He said cricket is a game of highs and lows, and by sharing what he experienced during his playing career, he hopes to help players improve faster than they might without that guidance.

Asked to describe himself in three words, he replied: “Very, very patient.” He also spoke about how modern cricket has changed over time, forcing coaches to evolve, remain flexible, and stay open-minded. According to him, learning never stops, and coaches must also adapt by observing players, understanding new styles of play, and being ready to improve their own approach.

The coach stressed that success in today's game comes from combining raw ability with the right mentality. He believes players need both skill and mindset, and the coaching staff’s role is to blend those two elements together so a team can move in the right direction consistently.

What Nepal's bowling group is focusing on

Speaking about Nepal specifically, he said the group has impressed him with its energy, discipline and hunger to improve. He admitted he had heard about Nepal cricket before, but has followed it more closely since head coach Stuart Law took charge. Now being inside the dressing room, he feels excited by the talent available and believes Nepal cricket should be proud of the players it has produced.

He said the job becomes much easier for a coach when players show up with smiles, train with intent, and genuinely want to learn. For him, being part of Nepal’s journey — even in a small role — is something that brings real joy, because he can see a group that wants to grow and compete at the highest level.

While praising the squad’s skill level, he also highlighted the importance of clarity. He said understanding roles is critical in a team sport like cricket — whether you are a bowler or a batter. According to him, Nepal’s bowlers already have the tools, but the focus is on building better game awareness: what ball to bowl, when to bowl it, and how to adjust based on conditions.

He pointed out that bowling is built around three key phases - powerplay, middle overs and death overs — and the difference at international level often comes down to decision-making under pressure. Over the next few weeks, the coaching group will aim to help players sharpen those small but crucial details so they are in the best possible position to perform.

On the topic of pressure at global tournaments, the Australian coach said he sees it more as excitement than stress. While he acknowledged that international cricket comes with expectations and attention, he believes Nepal’s players deserve this stage because of their quality and hard work.

He also said he has heard strong opinions that Nepal could be one of the best fielding sides at the tournament, and that togetherness is the key factor that can separate a good team from a great one. He believes the bowling unit must function as one group, not as individuals, and the same collective mindset must carry through the entire squad.

Finally, he had a clear message for Nepali fans: keep supporting the team through every phase. He said there will always be ups and downs, but stronger support helps players improve, gain confidence, and grow as a cricketing nation as Nepal continues its journey on the world stage.