3 March 2024: The Nepali national cricket team has been announced for a T20 series to be played in Hong Kong. The tour kicks off with a friendly match against the Hong Kong national team on March 9th. This will be followed by two official T20 internationals – the first against Hong Kong on March 10th and the second against Papua New Guinea on March 12th.
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has named a 14-member squad for the tour, led by experienced skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel. The team boasts a blend of youth and experience, with several players who were instrumental in Nepal’s recent success in the T20I Tri-Nation Series back home.
Openers Rohit Paudel and Kushal Bhurtel will look to provide a solid foundation at the top of the order. Wicketkeeper-batsman Binod Bhandari and the experienced Gulsan Jha add depth to the batting line-up. All-rounder Arif Shaikh and young prospect Vivek Yadav bring a multi-dimensional element to the team.
The bowling attack will be spearheaded by the pace duo of Karan KC and Sandeep Jora. The spin department features the wily leg-spinner Rashid Khan and the promising Sagar Dhakal. Rounding out the squad are talented youngsters Pratish Jisi, Lokesh Bam, Akash Chand, and Avinash Bohra.
Nepal will be aiming to continue their good form in T20 cricket after their recent series win against Namibia and the Netherlands. The matches in Hong Kong will provide them with valuable experience as they gear up for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June.
