Nepal’s cricket fraternity is abuzz with the announcement of their 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with Rohit Paudel entrusted as captain. This bold decision underscores CAN’s commitment to nurturing young talent as the Associate nation aims to compete with cricketing giants in the tournament running from June 1 to 29 across six venues in the USA and West Indies.
Paudel steps into the leadership role after impressing with his all-round contributions. His aggressive batting style, complemented by handy medium-pace bowling, has been a game-changer in limited-overs cricket. In 33 T20Is, he has amassed over 500 runs at a strike rate exceeding 140, proving his mettle in crunch situations.
Joining him is a well-rounded team featuring batting mainstay Kushal Bhurtel, wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh, and versatile Dipendra Singh Airee, who doubles as a leg-spinner. The bowling department shines with the return of mystery spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, whose googlies have bamboozled batters worldwide. Sompal Kami and Karan KC bring express pace, while Gulsan Jha offers swing at the top.
The selection panel opted for a fresh approach, sidelining some established names to inject dynamism. Paudel’s recent heroics, including a blistering 65 off 33 balls against Oman, tipped the scales in his favor. ‘We need a captain who embodies the T20 spirit,’ remarked head coach Monty Desai. ‘Rohit is that leader.’
Drawn in a challenging Group D alongside Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Sri Lanka, Nepal faces an uphill battle. Their opening fixture against the Dutch on June 4 sets the tone. With rigorous net sessions underway, Paudel is fostering a fearless mindset: ‘We’re here to win matches, not just participate.’
This squad represents Nepal’s deepest bench strength yet, blending IPL exposure with domestic prowess. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide will watch closely as Paudel’s men challenge the odds in what could be their breakout tournament.