CAN reveals promising squad to face Windies A

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 26: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), on Thursday, revealed a promising 16-member squad to face West Indies ‘A’ in a five-match T20 series starting on April 27.

Nepal’s squad was revealed two days later the Cricket West Indies (CWI) revealed a strong 15-member squad under Roston Chase. The West Indian squad has already landed in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

After a series of matches against the best Associate teams in Asia and outside since the start of 2024, the CAN has inducted experienced and better-performing players in the squad against one of the cricketing powerhouses.

Moreover, the series against West Indies ‘A’ will be the best final preparation for the senior squad before participating in the T20 World Cup in June being co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA.

Led by skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel, the Sheikh-brothers, Aarif and Aasif, are back in the squad together. Likewise, Anil Kumar Sah, who has proven himself in several T20 matches over the past few months, is also in the squad and is likely to either open the batting with Kushal Bhurtel or enter the crease after the fall of the first wicket.

Similarly, alongside batter Sundeep Jora, all-rounders Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha and Bibek Yadav are inducted in the squad.

Meanwhile, with only one full-timer spinner, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, the squad has five pacers – Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Abinash Bohara and Aakash Chand. 

While the bowling side, despite a lack of enough full-timer spinners, has been doing its job at least well, Nepal’s batting has been failing consistently, especially in the top order. 

As West Indies is a power-hitting squad fit for T20s, Nepali cricketers will have to save wickets and hit enough boundaries to either put a formidable target or chase a mammoth total. 

Meanwhile, with netizens showing dissatisfaction with the ways the West Indian squad was received at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepali cricket fans have planned to give the travelling side a grant welcome at the TU International Cricket Ground during the first match of the series on Saturday.