Nepal have handed the 50-over captaincy back to experienced leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane ahead of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup.
Sandeep Lamichhane is set to return as Nepal’s one-day international captain after the Cricket Association of Nepal selected the experienced leg-spinner to lead the national side in the upcoming ACC Men’s Premier Cup.
The 26-year-old will take charge of Nepal’s 50-over team once again, replacing Rohit Paudel, who had been serving as captain since 2022. Lamichhane previously led the side in 14 ODIs before the leadership was handed to Paudel.
Lamichhane brings considerable experience to the role, both as a bowler and as a former captain. He has taken 154 wickets from 77 ODI appearances, making him one of Nepal’s most successful players in the format.
His return to the leadership position comes as Nepal prepare for another important assignment on the international calendar. The ACC Men’s Premier Cup will provide the team with an opportunity to strengthen its campaign in regional cricket while building momentum for future competitions.
Paudel leaves the captaincy after a highly productive period at the helm. Under his leadership, Nepal enjoyed an impressive run in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, winning 11 of their 12 matches and securing qualification for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in June 2023.
Alongside his leadership contributions, Paudel also established himself as a dependable presence in Nepal’s batting lineup, helping provide stability during an important period for the team.
Lamichhane, meanwhile, has built a strong record across international formats. He became the fastest Nepalese cricketer to reach 150 ODI wickets and also made history as the first player from Nepal to claim 100 wickets in T20 internationals.
His combination of international experience, bowling expertise and previous leadership exposure is expected to be valuable for Nepal as the team enters the next phase of its ODI campaign.
The change also marks a significant return for Lamichhane, who will now have another opportunity to guide Nepal while continuing to play a key role with the ball.