KATHMANDU: Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has made major changes to the national cricket squad after the team’s disappointing performance during its Netherlands tour under the ICC World Cup League-2.
Ahead of the upcoming ACC Premier Cup, CAN has dropped several senior and experienced players and opted to give opportunities to younger players.
According to CAN’s latest decision, senior pacer Sompal Kami, all-rounder Aarif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Binod Bhandari and Nandan Yadav have been left out of both the senior and Nepal ‘A’ squads.
Regular opener Kushal Bhurtel, meanwhile, has been demoted from the senior squad to the Nepal ‘A’ team.
Following the team’s below-par performance in the Netherlands, CAN has prioritised young players in both the batting and bowling departments.
Young batters Dev Khanal and Sundeep Jora, along with left-arm spin all-rounder Basir Ahmed, have secured places in the senior squad.
Mystery spinner Sher Malla, who has impressed in domestic cricket, has also been included in the ODI national squad for the first time.
The latest squad reshuffle comes after Nepal’s continued underwhelming performances and is being viewed as a strong signal of CAN’s intention to introduce fresh thinking, increase competition within the team and prepare for the future.
Kushal Bhurtel, Sompal Kami, Bhim Sharki, Nandan Yadav, Aarif Sheikh and Binod Bhandari have been dropped from the senior team.
Meanwhile, young players Dev Khanal, Sher Malla, Sundeep Jora and Basir Ahmed have been brought into the senior squad.
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