KATHMANDU, Feb 21: A 19-member cricket team of Nepal has been named for India tour to prepare for the ICC World Cricket League Championship fixtures against Kenya. Nepal is scheduled to play against Kenya on March 11 and 13 at the TU grounds, Kirtipur.
The players were selected from a pool of 24 players from second phase training camp. The selection committee was headed by ICC representative Venkatapathi Raju, national team head coach Jagat Tamata and skipper Paras Khadka. The final list of 14 players will be announced after the team returns home from India on March 3.
The team will leave for India on Friday and play three practice matches in Noida, India, arranged by the International Cricket Council.
Among the 19 members, skipper Paras Khadka, however will not travel to India due to health concerns. Paras had been discharged from hospital following an appendicitis surgery on Sunday and is currently recuperating.
The team announced on Tuesday includes vice Captain Gyanenda Malla, Md Aarif Sheikh, Dilip Nath, Mehboob Alam, Karan KC, Md Aasif Sheikh, Sagar Pun, Bhuwan Karki, Sharad Vesawkar, Shakti Prasad Gauchan, Avinash Karn, Sompal Kami, Sunil Dhamala, Dipendra Singh Airee, Basant Regmi, Rajesh Pulami Magar, Binod Bhandari and Sandeep Lamichhane.
According to coach Tamata, Paras will join the training only after the team returns home from India on March 3. He will undergo self training after completing the rest period suggested by doctors.
After playing four rounds (eight matches), Nepal stands sixth in the standings with six points. Nepal had defeated Namibia in both matches played at the TU grounds while lost one and won one in its away match against the Netherlands. Similarly, Nepal faced defeats in both legs against Scotland and Papua New Guinea.
Kenya is one spot ahead of Nepal in the standings with eight points. Kenya has won four and lost as many matches.
The tournament being played in double round robin format features eight teams. The top four finishers at the end of the contest will earn ticket for 2019 ICC World Cup Qualifiers.
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