On Friday (September 15), the Nepal Cricket Board (NCB) announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming 2023 Asian Games, to be held in China and starting on Saturday (September 23).

Rohit Paudel will lead the Nepal men's team at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who is currently out on bail for alleged sexual assault, has been called up to the squad.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Friday unveiled its 15-member squad for the upcoming 2023 Asian Games and the Nepal cricket team will be captained by Rohit Paudel. The squad includes some prominent names from the Nepalese cricket scene, such as Sandeep Lamichhane, Aasif Sheikh and Gulshan Jha, among others.

The squad has seen major changes since Nepal's last T20I outing - a tour of Kenya in August 2022. Veteran batsman Gyanendra Malla has now retired, while this squad includes Arjun Saud, Pawan Sarraf, Mohammad Aadil Alam, Basir Ahamad and Aarif Sheikh, among others, who are not among the 15 players selected for the Asian Games.

Wicketkeepers Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee form the top order, Kushal Malla and Binod Bhandari will strengthen the batting department with Bhandari also acting as the backup wicketkeeper.

Karan KC will lead the pace attack which also includes Sompal Kami, Gulshan Jha, Abinash Bohara and Bibek Yadav. Pratis GC, who has not played an international match in T20Is, has also been named in the squad.

Lalit Rajbanshi will form the spin attack along with Lamichhane, with players like Airee and Malla also expected to help out.

Nepal's participation in the Asia Cup earlier this year was a significant milestone for the cricketing nation. In the tournament, Nepal was placed in Group A along with cricket giants India and Pakistan. Although the team faced strong opponents and suffered heavy defeats in both matches, their participation in the Asia Cup provided cricket fans with an excellent platform to experience Nepal's remarkable potential in the game.

Nepal’s 15-man squad for the 2023 Asian Games

Rohit Paudel (capt), Aasif Sheikh (wk), Kushal Bhurtel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Binod Bhandari, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Gulshan Jha, Abinash Bohara, Bibek Yadav, Pratis GC, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sundeep Jora