Mumbai

Nepal head coach Stuart Law on Saturday expressed disappointment over his team’s 10-wicket defeat to debutants Italy, saying the players had “not shown commitment” and urging them to ignore the “nonsense” on social media and focus fully on cricket during the T20 World Cup.

Nepal, who had impressed earlier with a spirited performance that nearly toppled two-time champions England in a high-scoring thriller, failed to build on that momentum and slumped to a tame loss when expectations were high.

Law said he understood the importance of social media in players’ lives but stressed that during a major tournament it could become a significant distraction.

“Social media is a massive part of the Nepalese culture,” Law told reporters when asked about ensuring dressing-room discussions translated into on-field performances. “If we’re focusing on what people are saying about us on social media and not on what the team needs or what the game requires, you’re distracted from your actual job.”

The former Australian cricketer said he was trying to strike a balance so that players remained focused on performance. While acknowledging that endorsements and sponsorships often depend on online presence, Law said strong performances at the World Cup would naturally boost players’ popularity.

“You don’t have to keep showing your face. If you show that cricket in Nepal is going forward and we’re winning games, your attraction on social media will go through the roof,” he said, explaining the message he had conveyed to the squad.

Law added that the emotional high of nearly beating England may have contributed to the lapse in focus against Italy.

“To go from that high to an extreme low four days later, that’s not showing mental toughness,” he said. “That’s not showing commitment to your team, your country, your family and your teammates. We need to do better.”

Providing a fitness update, Law said Nepal skipper Rohit Paudel had a stomach-related issue but was expected to be fit for Sunday’s match.

“There’s been a bit of fever going around the World Cup, some stomach issues. He had a fever last night, took medicine and should be fine,” Law said.

Meanwhile, Akeal Hosein of the West Indies said he did not read much into his side fielding two similar bowlers in the playing eleven, stressing that T20 cricket was more about roles than styles.

Hosein also played down concerns over West Indies’ pre-tournament defeats, saying the key was peaking at the right time.

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“For us, that’s in the past. The World Cup is what matters and it’s about peaking at the right time, and we’re heading in the right direction,” he said.