KATHMANDU, Jan 26: Rohit Kumar Paudel got a maiden call up as Nepal announced the 14-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Cricket League Division Two to be held in Namibia from February 8 to 15 this year. 

             Rohit Kumar Paudel                                             Anil Kumar Sah

The regular captain Paras Khadka will continue to lead the team in the most important tournament in Nepal’s calendar. Gyanendra Malla will be the vice-captain. Sharad Vesawkar will take charge of the inexperienced middle order consisting all-rounders Aarif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee. The only recognized wicket-keeper in the squad is Dilip Nath. Young batsman Anil Kumar Sah retains his place after coming as replacement in his last assignment against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The trio of Sandeep Lamichhane, Basant Regmi, and Shakti Gauchan will take responsibility of spin department. The pace bowlers in the squad are Sompal Kami, Karan KC, and Lalit Bhandari.

The selection committee was headed by ICC’s representative Aminul Islam, national head coach Jagat Tamatta and national team captain Paras Khadka. Team will be travelling to the UAE for a preparation tour on January 27.  Nepal will play three practice matches in the UAE and will travel to Namibia on February 4.

SQUAD
Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla (vice-captain), Shakti Gauchan, Basant Regmi, Sharad Vesawkar , Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Aarif Sheikh, Sandeep Lamichhane , Dipendra Singh Airee, Dilip Nath, Lalit Bhandari, Anil Kumar Sah, and Rohit Kumar Paudel

Reserves:  Sunil Dhamala, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Siddhant Lohani, Kishore Mahato 

NEW FACES
A regular member of U-19 squad for about a year, Paudel enhanced his reputation in recently concluded Everest Premier League (EPL) as a finisher. Batting for Bhairahawa Gladiators, he played memorable innings against international bowlers twice his age bailing his team from tricky situations to victory. A string of good and consistent performances mostly batting down the order in pressure situations have landed him in the final squad for ICC WCL Division Two. 

“I am very happy, obviously,” he said in a phone conversation with Republica. “I always take one match at a time. I know it is difficult to prepare knowing that there are not many selection matches happening in Nepal, but I don’t think much and only concentrate on the match I am involved in.” 
He has been the most successful finisher in Nepal in the last couple of years for all the teams he has been part of. “My role is to finish the match. I have been given the same responsibility in current camp and will be doing the same if given a chance in Division Two,” said Paudel. “Our sole goal is to win Division Two. We are positive and believe we can qualify.”

Paudel’s U-19 teammate Sah has also been included in the national squad for the first time after being a replacement player for injured Dipendra Singh Airee in the last squad that visited the UAE for the last round of WCLC matches. 

Like Paudel, Sah is yet to make debut for Nepal. He is working hard to get in the Armed Police Force (APF) team and is happy to realize that his life-long dream to represent Nepal has come true. “All the coaches and seniors I worked and played with have helped me to get here. All the tournaments I played, EPL, DPL and U-19s helped me improve my game. I feel lucky to be involved with the national setup in a short span of time,” Sah said about his first inclusion in the squad. “Kalam Ali and Binod Das have been crucial in my development by helping me train at the Nepal Cricket School and Velocity Arena during no tournament days.” He is looking forward to give his best and win the upcoming Division Two and qualify for the ICC World Cup qualifiers.

 
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