Sandeep replaces Rohit as one-day captain

KATHMANDU: Legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane has returned as captain of the Nepal national cricket team after four years.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Monday announced a 14-member squad led by Lamichhane for the upcoming 2026 ACC Men’s Premier Cup, replacing Rohit Paudel as team captain.

The decision marks a major leadership overhaul ahead of the regional tournament and follows Nepal’s disappointing recent run under Paudel in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.

The ACC Premier Cup is scheduled to take place in Malaysia from August 30 to September 12. Nepal are in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Similarly, Group A includes Singapore, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the UAE. The top three teams of the 2026 ACC Premier Cup will qualify for the 2027 Asia Cup to be hosted by Bangladesh.

This will be Lamichhane’s second tenure as national team captain. He was first appointed to the role in December 2021. However, he was removed from the role in September 2022 following his suspension by CAN after a rape case was registered against him at the Kathmandu District Court.

The court later acquitted Lamichhane of all charges, clearing the way for his return to international cricket and leadership.

Sandeep’s Career Timeline

Squad: 

Sandeep Lamichhane (captain), Aasif Sheikh, Arjun Kumal, Rohit Paudel, Dev Khanal, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sundeep Jora, Basir Ahamad, Ishan Pandey, Gulsan Jha, Sher Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Hemant Dhami