The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) unveiled their 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the United States and the Caribbean.
The tournament kicks off on June 1st, with Nepal’s opening match against the Netherlands set for June 4th in Texas.
This year’s squad leans heavily on youth, with rising star Rohit Paudel leading the charge as captain. Paudel has been in impressive form, recently scoring a century against the visiting West Indies A side in Kirtipur. His leadership will be crucial as Nepal navigates a tough group stage that includes South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands.
The selection committee rewarded players who shone in recent tournaments. All-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, fresh off his record-tying feat of six sixes in an over against Qatar in April, finds a well-deserved spot. Airee’s batting prowess adds valuable depth to the middle order, alongside established names like Kushal Bhurtel and wicketkeeper-batsman Aasif Sheikh.
Young talent gets a significant boost with the inclusion of Gulshan Jha, who impressed at both the U19 World Cup earlier this year and the ongoing West Indies A series. The exciting 19-year-old Pratis GC retains his place in the senior team, showcasing Nepal’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
Experience is not entirely absent, however. Sompal Kami, the sole remaining member from Nepal’s debut T20 World Cup campaign in 2014, brings valuable experience and leadership to the pace attack. He’ll be ably supported by the charismatic Karan KC, another senior figure who enjoys immense fan support.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Lalit Rajbanshi takes the mantle of leading Nepal’s spin attack. His control and guile will be key against teams known for their strong batting lineups.
While the core squad is set, teams have the flexibility to make changes until May 25th. After that date, any alterations will require approval from the ICC’s Event Technical Committee. This buffer period allows Nepal to fine-tune their strategy based on their performance in the remaining warm-up matches.
Nepal’s full T20 World Cup squad is as follows:
• Rohit Paudel (c)
• Aasif Sheikh (wk)
• Anil Kumar Sah
• Kushal Bhurtel
• Kushal Malla
• Dipendra Singh Airee
• Lalit Rajbanshi
• Karan KC
• Gulshan Jha
• Sompal Kami
• Pratis GC
• Sundeep Jora
• Abinash Bohara
• Sagar Dhakal
• Kamal Singh Airee
With a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned guidance, Nepal heads into the T20 World Cup with a clear goal: to make a mark on the global stage. All eyes will be on this exciting young squad as they strive to create history in the USA and the Caribbean.