14-member squad named for ACC Premier Cup

KATHMANDU: Nepal has named a 14-member squad for the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2023 being held in Kathmandu from April 18 to May 1.

CAN has named the same squad that played in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 for the ACC Premier Cup. Even three of the four substitute players are the same. Kishor Mahato has replaced Mausam Dhakal.

Dev Khanal, Kamal Singh Airee and Mausam Dhakal, who had made it to the preliminary squad, have failed to make it to the final squad.

Ten Associate members of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) nations are playing in the ACC Premier Cup. They have been divided into two groups of five teams. Nepal has Oman, Malaysia Qatar and Saudi Arabia in Group A, while UAE, Khong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore, and Bahrain are in Group B.

The matches will be held at TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur and the Mulpani Cricket Ground.

The team winning the title will be selected for the Asia Cup, which features Test playing nations of Asia, to be held in September. Similarly, top three teams will be slected for Asia Emerging Cup.

Nepal Squad:
Kushal Bhurtel, Bhim Sarki, Asif Sheikh, Pratish GC, Gyanendra Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Rohit Poudel (Captain), Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Substitutes:
Kishor Mahato, Arjun Saud, Sandip Jora and Surya Tamang

Nepal’s matches:
Nepal Vs Malaysia
TU Ground
April 18

Nepal vs Oman
TU Ground
April 21

Nepal vs Saudi Arabia
Mulpani Ground
April 24

Nepal vs Kuwait
TU Ground
April 27