Nepal announce 15-member squad for T20I tri-series against Netherlands and Malaysia

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is all set to host Netherlands and Malaysia for a triangular T20I series. The tournament will run from April 17 to April 24 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The three teams will play each other twice before the top two teams meet in the final.

Ahead of the tournament, CAN announced a 15-member squad with Gyanendra Malla as the captain for the eighth time and Dipendra Singh Airee as the vice-captain. As many as three players including the likes of Shahab Alam, Kushal Bhurtel, and Kamal Singh Airee have received maiden call-ups to the Nepal team.

Pawan Saraf and Sundeep Jora have been dropped from the team. Sheikh brothers, Aarif and Aasif, also feature in the 15-member squad.

The following players have been selected for Bajaj Pulsar Tri-nation Series Strength Partner Shivam Cement. pic.twitter.com/79tPBjs3qC

— CAN (@CricketNep) April 14, 2021

Coming to the squad, Nepal boasts of having as many as five top-order batsmen options in the form of Gyanendra Malla, Aasif Sheikh, Paras Khadka, Kushal Malla, and Kushal Bhurtel. Out of the five batsmen, only Kushal is a left-hander, and the rest all the batsmen are right-handers.

Binod Bhandari has been selected as the wicketkeeper of the team

The spin attack will be led by 20-year-old Sandeep Lamichhane. He was the only player to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he was picked by Delhi Capitals during the 2018 edition. Thus far, the leg-spinner has featured in just 9 IPL games scalping 3 wickets. However, the 20-year-old went unsold during IPL 2021 auctions and will thus be available to play for Nepal.

Apart from Lamichhane, Nepal has two left-arm orthodox options in the form of Sushan Bhari and Shahab Alam. Karan KC and Sompal Kami will play the role of the seaming all-rounders while the team has Abinash Bohara and Kamal Singh Airee in other seam options. Binod Bhandari has been selected as the wicketkeeper of the team while Aasif Sheikh will essay the role of the second-choice wicketkeeper. 

Full Squad: Gyanendra Malla (c), Dipendra Singh Airee(VC), Paras Khadka, Binod Bhandari, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Abinash Bohara, Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Shahab Alam, Kamal Singh Airee and Sushan Bhari.