Pokhara, 30 January | The cricketing world is set to witness the ascent of the Himalayan nation once again as the Nepal National Cricket Team gears up for its third appearance in the ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka this coming February and March. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has officially unveiled a balanced 15-member squad under the leadership of Rohit Paudel, blending raw youthful talent with seasoned veterans. In a significant strategic development, Nepal is slated to play all its group-stage matches at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This world-class venue will serve as the battleground where Nepal will face formidable opponents including defending champions England, the powerhouse West Indies, Scotland, and Italy. The prospect of playing in Mumbai has ignited a wave of excitement among players and fans alike, marking a historic milestone for Nepali cricket.
A closer look at the squad reveals a fascinating narrative of continuity and change. Sompal Kami stands as the sole bridge between the past and the present, being the only player remaining from Nepal’s maiden World Cup appearance in 2014. While Kami provides the backbone of experience, nine other players, including Captain Rohit Paudel, are preparing for their second World Cup outing. This group includes Vice-Captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, and Gulsan Jha—all of whom were instrumental in Nepal’s 2024 World Cup campaign. Furthermore, the squad welcomes five debutants who earned their spots through stellar domestic performances: mystery spinner Sher Malla, all-rounder Basir Ahmad, Lokesh Bam, Aarif Sheikh, and Nandan Yadav.
Captain Rohit Paudel, who holds the record for being the youngest captain in the previous World Cup, expressed immense pride in leading the side for the second consecutive time. At just 23, Rohit has already amassed 1,637 runs in 76 T20Is, proving himself as a reliable middle-order mainstay and a tactical leader. Joining him in the leadership core is the sensation Dipendra Singh Airee, the world-record holder for the fastest T20I half-century and one of the few players to hit six sixes in an over. With 1,956 runs and 58 wickets to his name, Airee’s role as an elite all-rounder will be pivotal to Nepal’s success. Veteran Sompal Kami emphasized that while the first World Cup was about introducing Nepal to the world, this third appearance is about establishing Nepal as a permanent fixture in global cricket.
The bowling department looks particularly lethal with the inclusion of Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal’s leading wicket-taker with 129 scalps in 67 matches. His global experience in various franchise leagues adds a layer of sophistication to the spin attack. Complementing him are the left-arm orthodox Lalit Rajbanshi and the express pace of Karan KC. The inclusion of Sher Malla, a mystery spinner who took 17 wickets in the recent Nepal Premier League (NPL), adds a secret weapon to the arsenal that could prove effective on the Wankhede pitch. Additionally, young Gulsan Jha, whose heroic near-miss against South Africa in the last edition remains etched in memory, is determined to turn past lessons into future victories.
The middle order is strengthened by the return of Basir Ahmad and Aarif Sheikh, both of whom have shown the ability to stabilize innings under pressure. Nandan Yadav’s recent form in the four-nation series in Hong Kong and Lokesh Bam’s explosive batting provide the necessary depth. The opening pair of Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh remains one of the most exciting duos in Associate cricket, capable of taking the game away from the opposition in the powerplay overs. Captain Paudel noted that the preparation has been rigorous, bolstered by the expertise of international coaches and increased exposure to high-pressure series. The team’s primary goal is to progress to the Super 8 stage, a target that seems increasingly realistic given the familiar subcontinental conditions. As the countdown to the February opener begins, the entire nation of Nepal stands united, hoping their heroes will deliver a historic performance on the grandest stage of them all.
