CAN Announces Split Captaincy Strategy for Upcoming Cricket Series

Kathmandu. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has adopted a new strategy by announcing different captains for the upcoming home series. CAN has selected separate captains for the T20 series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the triangular ODI series involving Oman, both scheduled for Baisakh.

According to CAN spokesperson Chumbi Lama, aggressive all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee will now lead Nepal's T20 team, while Rohit Paudel will continue to captain the One Day International (ODI) squad.

A 15-member squad led by Dipendra has been announced for the T20 series against the UAE, to be held at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on April 20 and 21. The team includes Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Sandeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Bashir Ahmed, Gulsan Jha, and Lokesh Bam. In the bowling department, Sandeep Lamichhane, Nandan Yadav, Santosh Yadav, Arjun Saud, Hemant Dhami, Shahab Alam, and Sher Malla have secured spots. Pratish GC, Narayan Joshi, and Rashid Khan have been named as reserve players.

Similarly, the squad has been announced for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League-2 triangular series, which will also take place at the TU ground from April 25 to May 5. Rohit Paudel will captain the ODI series featuring Nepal, the UAE, and Oman, with Dipendra Singh Airee serving as vice-captain.

This team includes experienced players such as Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Sompal Kami, Lalit Rajbanshi, Binod Bhandari, Arjun Kumal, and Karan KC.

For the first time in a long while, Nepal has introduced the concept of different captains based on the format of the game. The T20 team is dominated by young and aggressive players, while the ODI team focuses on experience and balance. Hemant Dhami, Sher Malla, Rijan Dhakal, Ishan Pandey, and Dev Khanal are the reserves for the ODI team.