Nepal is gearing up for its long-awaited return to the T20 Cricket World Cup after a decade. The ICC has set tomorrow as the deadline for all participating teams to announce their preliminary squads, with revisions allowed until May 25th and any changes after that are subjected to approval from the tournament’s technical committee.
Let’s assess the likely 15 players who could make it to Nepal’s squad for their second appearance in this global event. From the squad that represented Nepal in the last World Cup in Bangladesh, only Sompal Kami and Binod Bhandari remain active in the selection race. While Kami’s inclusion seems almost certain, Bhandari is also in contention.
Apart from Kami, several players have already secured their spots in the squad. These include skipper Rohit Paudel, opening duo Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, all-rounders Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Gulshan Jha, as well as the pace bowling trio of Karan KC, Abinash Bohara (and Kami himself), and left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi. These ten players are virtually assured of their places, leaving a few spots up for grabs.
Let’s examine the remaining spots and the contenders:
- Backup Opener/Wicketkeeper: Although Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh are slated to open, with Sheikh also serving as the wicketkeeper, Nepal will need another option as a contingency. The available players for this role are Anil Sah, Lokesh Bam, and Binod Bhandari. Anil Sah currently leads the race, despite recent struggles with his form. Lokesh Bam showed promise in the 2nd T20 against West Indies A but couldn’t capitalize due to an injury. Skipper of the Nepal A side, Binod Bhandari, brings experience to the table and could be considered by Coach Monty and the selection committee.
- Middle and Lower Middle Order: There are at least two slots available in this area, alongside skipper Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, and Gulshan Jha. Sundeep Jora is in great form and is the frontrunner for one of these spots. Other contenders include Bibek Yadav, who specializes in finishing roles, and Aarif Sheikh, who was recently included in the squad against West Indies A but hasn’t featured in the starting eleven. Additionally, Dev Khanal has been consistent domestically, while Bhim Sharki, a regular in the ODI format, might also be considered, albeit less likely.
- Balance of Pace and Spin: With the pace trio of Sompal Kami, Karan KC, and Abinash Bohara, along with left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi, already confirmed, there’s room for at least one more pacer in the squad. However, the selection committee faces a dilemma between opting for an extra pacer or an additional spinner. Among the pace bowling options, Pratis GC has been a consistent presence in the squad, although he hasn’t made a significant impact in the opportunities he’s had. Akash Chand, who impressed in the U19 World Cup earlier this year, and Kamal Singh Airee, returning from injury, are also in contention. Hemant Dhami and Rijan Dhakal, who featured for Nepal A, could also be considered. As for spin, Lalit Rajbanshi is the sole specialist confirmed, but Sagar Dhakal’s impressive performance in the 2nd T20 against West Indies A might earn him a spot as a second spinner. Surya Tamang has shown promise but hasn’t featured much in recent T20 matches. The selection committee faces tough decisions, considering the all-round abilities of players like DS Airee and Rohit, as well as the prowess of the Kushal duo in rolling their arms. Whether they opt for additional spin support or bolster the pace attack further remains to be seen.
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