Stuart Law: "I Don't Like to Lose" as He Begins Nepal Coaching Journey

Nepal’s newly appointed head coach, Stuart Law, officially began his tenure with the national cricket team after arriving in Kathmandu on Friday night. Wasting no time, Law jumped straight into action by observing the first day of the Core Camp underway at Mulpani.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday morning, Law expressed his excitement about working in Nepal. “I really enjoy the place and like the culture. I know it’s not going to be an easy job, but a rewarding one because there’s high talent here. We need to set a structure to move forward,” Law said. He also confirmed discussions with Chief Selector LB Chhetri about the type of players needed to take Nepal cricket to greater heights in the coming years.

When asked why he chose the Nepal job despite having a lot of experience at higher levels, Law emphasised the developmental opportunity it presents. “Associate teams are good, but they need certain attributes to succeed. Hopefully, I can bring that to Nepal cricket. I see a lot of desire and passion here, that’s what drew me,” he shared.

Law, a former Australian international, noted that his coaching style is “slightly different,” describing himself as more relaxed. “I don’t like whiteboards and too much structure. I prefer to think off the ground about what the players need,” he said.

With 52 players attending the current camp, Law stressed the importance of performance in the upcoming six matches, while also valuing past contributions. “You need to play and see players in match situations to understand their talent, mental attitude, and game awareness. What players have done in the past will certainly count, but these matches are also crucial. If current players don’t perform, there’s always room for others to step up,” he explained.

Outlining his goals, Law made it clear that qualifying for the World Cup is the top priority. “I don’t like losing – I’m a bad loser. Our main target is the World Cup Qualifier at the end of the year. Playing in the World Cup is special, and I want our players to understand that this should be their dream,” he said.

Acknowledging the challenge ahead for Associate nations in the qualifiers, Law remained positive. “It’s a bit dangerous, but I don’t want to highlight the negatives. The focus should be on the upside, the incredible experience of reaching the World Cup.”

Law also spoke about his communication with national team captain Rohit Paudel. “I’ve been in touch with him quite a few times via text. I prefer face-to-face conversations, so it was good to finally meet him this morning. I look forward to sitting down with him to share my vision and how we can work together.”

With Stuart Law at the helm, Nepal cricket now sets its sights on building a strong structure and chasing the dream of World Cup qualification.

Law’s appointment comes at a crucial time as Nepal looks to strengthen its squad ahead of upcoming international tournaments. Currently, Nepal is in the second position from the bottom in the CWC League 2 with just two wins from 12 matches.