KATHMANDU, September 18: The Nepal national cricket squad for the Hong Kong leg of International Cricket Council’s World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) has been announced on Monday.
Right arm quick bowler Lalit Singh Bhandari and former U-19 international left-arm spinner Sushil Kandel have received maiden call-ups whereas all-rounder Aarif Sheikh and left-arm spinner Susan Bhari have made comebacks in the team after a long spell in sidelines.
Veteran spinner Shakti Gauchan will miss the tour due to injury. Legendary all-rounder Mehboob Alam has been dropped to the reserve squad along with returnee pace bowling star Jeetendra Mukhiya. Young all-rounder Kushal Bhurtel and opening batsman Naresh Budhayer missed the final cut from the preliminary squad.
Skipper Paras Khadka and fast bowler Karan KC are making a comeback in the team after a small spell in sidelines due to injuries whereas makeshift Binod Bhandari is the only wicket-keeper in the squad.
The 14-men squad is traveling to Hong Kong next month to play two matches against the home team. The first match will be played on October 13 at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok and the second match will be played two days later at the same venue.
Squad: Paras Khadka (Captain), Gyanendra Malla (Vice Captain), Sharad Vesawkar, Basant Regmi, Sagar Pun, Sompal Kami, Binod Bhandari, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sushan Bhari, Md. Arif Sheikh, Lalit Bhandari, and Sushil Kandel.
Reserves: Jeetendra Kumar Mukhiya, Naresh Bahadur Budhayer, Mehboob Alam and Kushal Bhurtel
Alam has been framed, argues Alam's lawyer Raman Shrestha
The Selection committee was headed by the head coach of national cricket team Jagat Tamatta & skipper Paras Khadka.
Nepal team is currently at Chennai, India scheduled to play four practice matches against local cricket teams. They are set to play against Tamil Nadu Premier League outfits Dindigul Dragons in their practice match on September 19, 2017.
