Nepal announces squad for the CWCL2 series

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a 17-men squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two series (CWCL2) that is set to take place in Oman next month. Nepal will play against the hosts and the USA, as well as two lead-up ODI matches against Papua New Guinea on 5th and 8th of September. The CWCL2 series is scheduled for 13 to 20th September. 

Experienced bowling all-rounder Bikram Sob has been picked, while young fast bowler Gulshan Jha has also been given a maiden berth in the national squad. Young openers Kushal Bhurtel and Mohammad Aasif Sheikh from the recently held tri-nations series have been selected. 

Young medium pacer Kamal Singh Airee has been dropped due to injury, while promising left-arm spinner Shahab Alam has also been denied from the preliminary squad. Nepal has given a chance to the experienced Sharad Vesawkar, despite not being up to the mark in the recent tournaments. 

As it stands, the Nepal Cricket Team has four points with two victories on the CWCL2 table, and are seated in sixth. Out of four matches they played in the home series last year, both of their wins came against the USA, while they were beaten twice by Oman. 

The Nepalese Cricket Team is currently training in a closed camp under head coach Dav Whatmore in Kathmandu. Nepal were set to play four ODI matches, two each against Scotland and Namibia in Spain last month, but was later postponed due to COVID-19. Nepal will also wear a new kit as they play against Oman and the USA next month.

The 17-Men Squad for CWCL2 against Oman and the USA: Gyanendra Malla (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Gulshan Jha, Aarif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Binod Bhandari, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Pawan Sarraf, Abinash Bohara, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sushan Bhari, Sharad Veshawkar, Bikram Sob,