Kathmandu. Off-spinner Sher Malla has been included in Nepal’s T20 World Cup squad and has received a call to the national team for the first time. Nepal has included all-rounder Basir Ahmed in its squad, while Kushal Malla, who was part of the team in the T20 World Cup Qualifier in October last year, has not got a place in the World Cup squad. Top-order batsman Rohit Poudel will lead the team in the T20 World Cup while Deepender Singh Airi will be the vice-captain of the team.
Malla has been rewarded for his performances in the Nepal Premier League where he took 17 wickets and was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Sher Malla had taken 17 wickets in 10 matches at an economical economy of 6.50. He played a key role in helping Lumbini Lions win the title and won the Emerging Player of the Tournament title.
Nepal’s squad has a combination of strong top-order batsmen and all-rounders. Nepal’s bowling will revolve around leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalich Rajbanshi, Malla and Airy will be seen playing the role of his support in the spin department. Karan KC will be seen leading the fast bowling department and he will be supported by Nandan Yadav, Sompal Kami and all-rounder Gulshan Jha.
The all-rounder can be seen playing a major role in Nepal’s 15-member squad. The 23-year-old Paudel will be seen leading the batting unit while he will be supported by the aggressive Kushal Bhurtel and Asif Shaikh at the top of the order.
Jha and Airi will be present to give the finishing touch to the lower order. Nepal played four matches in the 2024 T20 World Cup but did not win a single match. Although they played close matches against Bangladesh and South Africa. Nepal’s World Cup campaign begins on February 8 against England at the Wankhede Stadium. It is here that they have to play all four of their group matches.
Rohit Poudel (captain), Deependra Singh Airy (vice-captain), Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Asif Sheikh, Sandeep Jora, Arif Sheikh, Basir Ahmed, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla, Lokesh Bam Raj.
