B Debuty a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (Hamro Khelkud) – U-19 sensation pacer Aakash Chand is set to make his senior debut for Nepal National Men’s Cricket Team. Aakash has been brought into the playing XI in place of Lalit Rajbanshi for the second ODI against Canada and will be the 40th man to represent Nepal in ODIs.
Aakash took nine wickets in five matches at the ongoing ICC U-19 World Cup in South Africa. Nepal were eliminated from the Super Six stage in the tournament. Chand has also made his mark as a net bowler for the senior team previously.
Along with Aakash, U-19 skipper Dev Khanal and opener Anil Shah have also made their comebacks to the side. Kushal Bhurtel and Lalit Rajbanshi have been given breathers in the second outing of the series. Another U-19 pacer Hemant Dhami will have to sit out and wait a bit longer to receive his senior cap.
Nepal will be fielding first in the second ODI after the Canadian skipper Saad Bin Zafar won the toss and decided to bat first. Nepal have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
This series will be followed by an ICC League Two tri-series against the Netherlands and Namibia at home.
Playing XI: Rohit Paudel (Captain), Anil Shah, Kushal Malla, Dev Khanal, Bhim Sharki, Pawan Sarraf, Rijan Dhakal, Surya Tamang, Aasif Sheikh, Sompal Kami, Aakash Chand