Nepal Cricket Association Announces National Teams with Separate Captains for the First Time

While giving opportunities to new players in T20, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has prioritized experienced players for the ODI team currently facing challenges. Kathmandu, April 17. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has, for the first time, announced national teams under different captains for the T20 and ODI formats. A 15-member squad led by Dipendra Singh Airee has been named for the upcoming T20 series against the UAE scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Meanwhile, Rohit Paudel will captain Nepal in the ODI series against Oman and the UAE starting April 25 under the ICC World Cup League 2.

Previously, Rohit Paudel captained both formats, but CAN handed the T20 captaincy to Dipendra Singh Airee from Friday, marking Nepal’s first instance of having different captains for T20 and ODI formats. Historically, the same player had led in both formats.

CAN has also distinguished players between the two formats. Former T20 captain Rohit Paudel is omitted from the T20 squad this time. Alongside him, five players who were part of the previous T20 squad have not been included. Experienced players such as Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Lalit Rajbanshi, and Asif Sheikh are also out of the squad, creating opportunities for younger players. Kushal Malla, Santosh Yadav, Arjun Saud, Hemant Dhami, and Shahaw Alam have been selected for the T20 team, with Santosh and Hemant making their debuts, while Kushal, Arjun, and Shahaw were part of prior squads.

Young cricketers Santosh and Hemant made impressive batting and bowling performances in the Prime Minister’s One-Day Cup. Notably, Hemant Malla earned the Best Bowler award by taking the highest wickets.

For the ODI squad, experienced players remain the focus. Arjun Kamal, who scored the most runs in the Prime Minister’s Cup held in Madhesh Province, has been selected for the ODI team for the first time. Vinod Bhandari returns to the squad after three years. Other than that, the ODI team has seen little change compared to last season. Despite their excellent performances in the Prime Minister’s Cup, Santosh Yadav and Hemant Dhami have not secured ODI squad places.

Players like Sher Mall, Narayan Joshi, and Dinesh Kharel, who performed well, have also been excluded from the ODI team. The differing selections between T20 and ODI indicate distinct evaluations for the formats. Despite limited Prime Minister’s Cup impact, Rohit Paudel will continue to captain the ODI team. Also, Kushal Bhurtel, Bhim Sarki, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, and Karan KC are included in the ODI squad.

Nepal’s performance in the ICC World Cup League 2 has been weak, with only five wins out of 20 matches. As each game is critical, CAN appears to have preferred experienced players over newer players in good form.

The demand to have separate squads and captains for different formats has been longstanding. Cricket fans have requested distinct teams and captains to avoid form impairment caused by playing both formats. While T20 requires aggressive and quick scoring, ODI demands patient innings progression. Considering these differing styles, CAN has appointed different captains and players for each format.

Previously, the same players were commonly named in both T20 and ODI squads, but this time different squads have been selected. Seven players from the ODI squad, including Rohit, are not part of the T20 team. Rohit, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Bhim Sarki, Lalit Rajbanshi, and Vinod Bhandari are in the ODI team, whereas Kushal Malla, Sandeep Jora, Lokesh Bam, Santosh Yadav, Sher Mall, Hemant Dhami, Arjun Saud, and Shahaw Alam are in the T20 squad. Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Basir Ahmad, Gulshan Jha, Nandan Yadav, and Arif Sheikh have been selected in both squads.

According to former national team captain and former selection committee chair LB Kshetri, having different squads for different formats allows better management of players’ abilities. He stated, “We had long advocated for different ODI and T20 teams. This approach provides players a great chance to showcase their skills. Players’ abilities vary, and this facilitates better management.”