Nepal cricket team’s head coach Monty Desai has been removed from the role with immediate effect. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has decided not to renew his contract after his two-year tenure came to an end.
Desai had been facing a lot of scrutiny after Nepal’s dismal performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 where they finished winless in four games. They ran the ultimate runners-up South Africa close in a match and were even favorites to win but eventually lost by a solitary run.
Nepal has underperformed even in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 where they have won just 2 out of the 12 matches they have played so far. They are currently seventh in the points table with 2 wins and 8 defeats in 12 matches.
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Nepal parts ways with Monty Desai
CAN spokesperson, Chhumbi Lama, revealed the news about Monty Desai’s future with Nepal cricket in a press release. He also made it clear that it wasn’t a sudden decision and it was taken with a mutual agreement.
“Head coach of the men’s national cricket team Shri Mrugang Jagdish Desai ‘Monty Desai’ was appointed with a tenure of two-year and the agreement has come to an end which we all are well aware of. Also, it is hereby informed that the Cricket Association of Nepal has decided not to renew the contract,” Lama stated in the press release.
“It was not a sudden decision. A board meeting held earlier had decided not to offer him a contract extension. There is no reason to think negatively of him, the decision was more of a mutual agreement,” he further added.
CAN thanks Monty Desai
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) remembered the good times when the team made rapid progress under the supervision of Monty Desai.
“To the coach who turned ‘One Ball Battles’ into unforgettable victories and a happy dressing room into a family. From defending our ODI status against the odds to locking horns against Asian giants India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup to dancing on the World Cup stage with passion and commitment, you’ve made Nepal’s cricketing dreams soar,” CAN posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Your belief, your smiles, and your heart built not just a team, but a lasting LEGACY. As you embark on your next adventure, know that our 12th Men will always echo your name – and our gratitude will be as endless as the memories you’ve gifted us,” the post added.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂, 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝘆 🇳🇵
To the coach who turned ‘One Ball Battles’ into unforgettable victories, and a happy dressing room into a family! 🏏✨
From defending our ODI status against the odds to locking horns against Asian giants India and Pakistan at the… pic.twitter.com/8oWf3N8BFo
— CAN (@CricketNep) February 1, 2025
Monty Desai’s invaluable contributions to Nepal cricket
With Monty Desai as the head coach, Nepal managed to qualify for the Asia Cup 2023 by winning the ACC Premier Cup on home soil. They played against cricketing giants like India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup which marked a historic occasion for them.
Nepal also qualified for a T20 World Cup for the first time in a decade and marked their return to the global stage for the first time since 2014 when they played the first round of the tournament in Bangladesh.
Monty Desai joined the team when Nepal was on the verge of losing its ODI status in 2023. However, the team saw a remarkable turnaround under him. The Himalayan nation went on to win a staggering 11 out of 12 matches in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 and secured a berth in the ODI World Cup 2023 qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
