Kathmandu, 4 May – Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a 25-member squad for the second round of the national core training camp ahead of Nepal’s tour of the UK and Scotland. The squad, to be led by skipper Rohit Paudel, was made public on Saturday after selecting from 53 players who were shortlisted from the first round.
28 players were axed, among whom are some popular names like Ishan Pandey, Tirthraj Das, Kushal Malla, and ex-U19 skipper Dev Khanal—players who had put in good performances in previous matches. While Ishan Pandey scored a hundred at the first phase camp, he has still not been chosen. Even Kushal Malla, who made an unbeaten 92 in a practice game recently, hasn’t been selected. CAN is said to have considered long-term shape and continuity, citing Kushal’s inability to score big run-scores in international games as one possible explanation.
The decision has been greeted with mixed reactions from the fans, with some being disappointed and accusing politics in the selection process.
Players Selected for Phase 2 Camp:
Batters: Rohit Paudel (C), Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Anil Sah, Bhim Sharki, Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Dilip Nath, Yubraj Khatri, Kiran Thagunna, Arjun Saud
All-rounders: Gulshan Jha, Basir Ahmad, Nandan Yadav, Shubh Kansakar, Lokesh Bam, Aakash Chand, Rupesh K. Singh
Bowlers: Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi, Shahab Alam, Pratis GC, Rijan Dhakal
These players will compete for a spot in the final squad that will represent Nepal on its international tour.
UK & Scotland Tour Schedule:
May 16 – Nepal vs Cardiff University Club (tour opener)
May 19 – One-day match vs MCC
May 22 – Two T20 matches vs Gloucestershire
May 26 – Final warm-up match vs Glamorgan Club
May 29 & 31 – Two one-day practice matches vs Scotland ‘A’ team
June 2 – Start of ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series vs Scotland and Netherlands
Nepal currently stands 7th in the League 2 table with 6 points from 12 matches, with 24 matches still to play in this edition. The team will aim to secure maximum points to bolster their qualification hopes for future global tournaments.
