KATHMANDU, JANUARY 20

Cricket Association of Nepal today announced a 16-member team for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers to be held in Oman next month.

Youth batsmen Lokesh Bam and Bibek Yadav were included in the squad after their impressive performance in the Prime Minister Cup that concluded yesterday at the TU Stadium, while Sharad Vesawkar, Pradeep Airee and Jitendra Mukhiya returned to the national fold.

Injured medium pacer Sompal Kami was not included in the team, while wicketkeeper Binod Bhandari did not find his place in the squad despite being called in the preliminary camp by head coach Pubudu Dassanayake. Sandeep Lamichhane, who is currently playing in the Big Bash League in Australia, will lead the team in the Global Qualifiers, while Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gyanendra Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Karan KC, Abinash Bohora, Shahab Alam. Kushal Malla and Kamal Singh Airee retained their places in the team.

A total of eight countries will take part in the Global Qualifiers with the participating teams divided into two groups. Nepal are in Group B along with Oman, Canada and the Philippines, while Ireland, UAE, Germany and Bahrain are in Group A. Top two teams from both the pools after round robin league will make it to the semi-finals.

The finalists will earn tickets to Australia for the T20 World Cup. Nepal have not played in World Cup since making their maiden appearance in the 2014 edition in Bangladesh.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 21, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.