Former captain Gyanendra Malla has made a comeback to the Nepali national cricket team for the series against Kenya next month. Nepal will play against Kenya for 5 T20Is and 3 ODs matches.
Gyanendra was left out of the team after the ICC World Cup League-2 triangular series in UAE last March due to continued poor performance. Since then, Nepal played two ODI matches against Papua New Guinea at home and a triangular T20I series with Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.
Then he missed the historic series against Zimbabwe A at home for 3 T20 and a One-Day match. Similarly, he missed the tour of America and Scotland in the World Cup League-2 triangular series. Now, he has returned to the team after the poor performance of the young players on the team.
Gyanendra returned when the team needed experienced players. When Gyanendra returned to the team, Kushal Bhurtel, who had been on the team for the last time, was left out. Recently, Bhurtel’s performance has not been good. Kushal was dismissed for 27, 27, 0, and 3 runs on the tour of Scotland.
As the Former captain returns to the team, he will have two options to settle down in the down. He is likely to open the innings with Aasif Sheikh. Likewise, there will be an option to play Dev Khanal opening with Gyanendra Malla at number three. The performance of the batter is always important at number three. at least the batter must be experienced and should perform as per the needs of the condition and the team’s requirements. Kushal and Binod Bhandari are out of the team. Likewise, all-rounder Bibek Yadav and spinner Sahab Alam have also returned to the team.
Team Nepal:
Sandeep Lamichhane (captain), Rohit Paudel (vice-captain), Aasif Sheikh (wicketkeeper), Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Dev Khanal, Adil Ansari, Karan KC, Gyanendra Malla, Sompal Kami, Basir Ahmed, Arjun Saud (wicketkeeper), Pawan Sarraf, Sahab Alam, Kishore Mahato, Bibek Yadav.
Substitute players: Jitendra Mukhiya, Bhim Sarki, Pratish G.C. Hari Shankar Shah.
Match schedule between Kenya and Nepal
First T20I match – August 25
2nd T20I Match – August 26
3rd T20I Match – August 28
4th T20I Match – August 29
5th T20I Match – August 30
Three one-day practice matches
First Match – September 2
Second Match – September 3
Third Match – September 5
