By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Sandeep Lamichhane is almost certain to be named as the men’s ODI cricket team captain of Nepal. Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) had announced Lamichhane as the captain of the national cricket team three months ago after taking disciplinary action against the then skipper Gyanendra Malla.
Under his captaincy, Nepal had played four-nations T20I Series and the ICC T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers in Oman last month. Nepal is all set to participate in a tri-series against the UAE and Papua New Guinea under the ICC World Cup League-2 after two weeks. Prior to that, Nepal will play four practice matches in Sri Lanka beginning from Thursday.
CAN’s acting secretary Prashant Bikram Malla informed that Lamichhane will lead the ODI team of Nepal as well. CAN has called a 20-member squad for closed camp training. A 16-member final squad will head towards Sri Lanka as well as the UAE for the tri-series. Lamichhane will become the third player to lead the ODI team of Nepal after Paras Khadka and Gyanendra Malla. CAN, whoever, hasn’t unveiled the name of vice captain.
Dipendra Singh Airee was also removed from the post of vice captain following the disciplinary action for speaking publicly against CAN. Ever since Airee was axed, CAN hasn’t given the responsibility of vice captain to any player. CAN has been insisting that it will announce the vice captain only if needed.
Under Lamichhane’s captaincy, Nepal had defeated Oman by 39 runs, Philippines by 236 runs and Canada by 8 wickets I n the ICC T20I World Cup Global Qualifiers to reach the semifinal as group winners. However, Nepal lost the semifinal against the UAE by 68 runs to miss a chance to qualify for the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia in October/November later this year.
Nepal will face Papua New Guinea in the first match of the World Cup League 2 on March 16.
Players called for closed camp training:
Sandeep Lamichhane, Gyanendra Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Bhurtel, Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh, Kamal Singh Airee, Bivek Yadav, Sagar Dhakal, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Binod Bhandari, Rohit Kumar Poudel, Sompal Kami, Bikram Sob, Bhim Sarki, Pawan Sharaff, Sushan Bhari, Raju Rijal and Anil Kumar Shah.
Nepal’s Match Schedule:
March 16: Vs Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
March 18: Vs UAE, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
March 21: Vs UAE, Dubai
March 22: Vs Papua New Guinea, Dubai
