Placed in a high-profile group, Nepal will be facing off versus India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. Things will be challenging for Nepal but they have the skills and expertise to cause an upset to a far superior side.
On 14th August 2023, Nepal announced a 17-member squad that will be representing the nation in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. The young Rohit Paudel has been named as the captain and star spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been included in the side.
Before embarking on the tournament, Nepal would be playing practice matches against Pakistan-designated teams and will be underdoing practice sessions.
Notably, Asia Cup 2023 is slated to begin from 30th August 2023 and is supposed to be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka amidst security concerns of the team playing in Pakistan.
Recently, Nepal defeated UAE in the finals of the ACC Premier Cup and booked their ticket in the Asia Cup 2023. In the finals, they firstly humbled UAE for a paltry score of 117 runs. They then chased the total down in just 30.3 overs.
Gulsan Jha was adjudged the player of the match for his knock of 67* runs in 84 deliveries. Jha had also taken a wicket in the game.
Sandeep Lamichhane had bagged the player of the tournament award for his outstanding performances with the ball. Lamichhane has displayed incredible resilience and fortitude in keeping his rape allegations aside and focusing on cricket.
Nepal will be playing in the Asia Cup for the first time and would be hoping to give their best. Amidst some high-profile teams and players, it would be a good learning curve for the players to give their best and learn from the best.
They will be opening their campaign against the hosts Pakistan on 30th August 2023. It will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan and is scheduled to begin from 3:30 PM (IST).
Nepal will be then locking horns with India on 4th September 2023. The match will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele. It is slated to start from 1:00 PM (IST).
Nepal’s 17-member squad for Asia Cup 2023
Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish GC, Shyam Dhakal, Sundeep Jora, Kishore Mahato and Arjun Saud.
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