Ritu axed, Nary re-appointed women's cricket captain

KATHMANDU, Jan 21: Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Friday axed Ritu Kanaujiya, who captained the national women´s cricket team in the 2009 ACC T20, and appointed Nary Thapa as her successor. Ritu and three other national cricketers did not find a place in the 18-member squad for the ACC Women´s Twenty20 Championship to be held in Kuwait from February 18 to 25.



Melina Rayamajhi, Binu Buda Magar and Maya Rawat were also axed from the national team.[break]



Thapa, who had captained Nepal in the past, was relieved of the title on the grounds of discipline for the ACC Women´s Twenty20 2009 and Asian Games.



“The performance in Asian Games was far below our expectations,” chief selector Bijaya Sharma said while announcing the team. “Nary (Thapa) has been re-appointed the captain considering the fact that we won the ACC U-19 under her leadership.” Sharma also said that the decision was taken considering improvements Thapa showed in discipline, game and captaincy.



Meanwhile, CAN has informed that the team will travel to Pakistan to play four to five matches against Pakistan´s national women´s team in Lahore. Pakistan is the winner of the Asian Games gold.



CAN will pick the final 14 after the completion of the closed-camp training that begins Sunday.



The squad: Nary Thapa (captain), Rubina Chhetri (vice-captain), Manisha Rawal, Madhu Thapa, Sita Rana Magar, Khina Thapa Magar, Indu Verma, Janaki Bhatta, Rashmi Sharma, Sarita Magar, Karuna Bhandari, Neera Rajopadhyay, Mamta Thapa Magar, Shova Ale, Sita Shahi, Sonu Khadka, Manita Gautam, Rekha Rawal and Arun Aryal (coach).

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