KATHMANDU. When the Nepalese team was leaving for U-17 Asia Cup in Bangladesh, Pakistani coach for Nepal, Altaf Baluch, mentioned names of four key players for Nepal's success. At the time he didn't name the youngest member of the team as a key player, who after the tournament emerged as a cricketing hero. He was Munik Shrestha of Kathmandu.

Munik scored 189 runs in 4 matches averaging 63 and took two wickets as a part-time spinner. He was judged Man of the Match award in two matches that Nepal won, therefore his efforts changed Nepal's show in 2nd U-17 Asia Cup. Coach Baluch was right in one thing, any member of Nepal could emerge as a key player.

He scored the first ever century for Nepal in international level against Singapore in the last league match of Nepal. He put on brilliant 113 not out to guide Nepal to its highest ever score of 295. Nepal won the match by 224 runs.

Munik was the higest scorer of Nepal in three matches. Only first match against Bangladesh wasn't good enough for his show (only 8 runs). Other three matches were his (25 against Pakistan, 43 runs and 2 wickets against Kuwait and 113* against Singapore). Before he scored the century the highest score for Nepal was 91 by Kiran Agrawal in Sharjah in 2000 in ACC trophy.

To be the first Nepalese to score a century "feels great. I didn't want to lower my bat after I raised it to accept the applause," Munik said. The 55 year old history of Nepalese cricket hadn't seen such a young hero anytime.

His success wasn't gifted but built with his own efforts. Younger brother of other two cricketers, Monish and Monir, Munik spent two years carrying water bottles for his brothers' team and practising with them. Monir, also an international player, is very popular among Nepalese fans and Monish, the eldest, plays for local team.

Right handed batsman Munik is only 16 years old and is still in High School. He missed his exams for the tournament in Bangladesh, but when he emerged as a national hero, his school had decided to give him a re-exam chance (a reminder of the incident of New Zealander Roger Twose in 1999 World Cup in England).

Munik says he is inspired by his brothers and Sandeep Shrestha, a star local batsman and likes to name two Australians as his hero. "I like Mark Waugh for his stylish batting and Damien Martyn for his patience on the crease," said Munik praising his heroes.

Munik's favourite shot is the cover drive but he showed his ability to play balls all around the ground with ease during his two brilliant innings. Munik also played in the first U-17 Asia Cup in Pakistan where Nepals show was forgettable incident. He played all matches (only some did so) but performed very average. "I didn't want to remember it," Munik says "It was good for international experience which is always our weakness."

Munik has always been the 12th man in the senior tournaments in his brother's team. But after his great performance in Dhaka they're lots of offers from clubs to play in first eleven as a star. But he wanted to play with either of two teams. "My first choice will be Mahabir Club, the oldest and mightiest club in Kathmandu or Yeti Airlines - my brothers play for it." - Munik says with sparkles for a future career in his eyes.

"I want to be a key player for the Under 19s and then after Nepalese national team," - his future as he says. But he doesn't know the destiny of many bright cricketers who left cricket to employ themselves in lack of support from national body and money in the cricket.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd