CAN announces squad for Women’s Asia Cup

KATHMANDU: Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a 15-member squad under the leadership of Indu Barma to participate in the 2024 Women’s T20 Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka in July.

Selectors have removed Ashmina Karmacharya, Ruby Poddar, Alisha Khadiya, Apsari Begam and Laxmi Saud from the 20 players called for the closed-camp training.

Allrounder Rajmati Airee has been included in the team for the first time, while Kritika Marasini has made a comeback to the national team.

A total of eight teams are participating in the Asia Cup.

Nepal is in Group ‘A’ which also includes India, Pakistan and UAE, while Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Thailand are in Group ‘B’.

Nepal will meet UAE in the inaugural match of the Asia Cup on July 19. Similarly, it will play against Pakistan on July 21 and against India on July 23.

Nepal had initially missed an opportunity to qualify for the Asia Cup after facing a defeat against Malaysia in the semifinal of the ACC Women’s Premier Cup in February. Malaysia and UAE, which reached the final of the ACC Women’s Premier Cup, had qualified for the Asia Cup.

However, the Asian Cricket Council’s decision to expand the event to eight teams paved the way for Nepal to play the Asia Cup.

Matches:
Nepal vs UAE
July 19

Nepal vs Pakistan
July 21

Nepal vs India
July 23

Squad:
Indu Barma (Captain), Rubina Chhetri, Sita Rana Magar, Kabita Kunwar, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Joshi, Kajol Shrestha (wicketkeeper), Puja Mahato, Dolly Bhatta, Bindu Rawal, Roma Thapa, Kritika Marasini, Shabnam Rai and Rajamati Airee