In an exciting announcement, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has officially revealed the 15-player squad that will represent Nepal in the upcoming U19 Cricket World Cup 2024, set to take place in South Africa. Leading the talented squad will be the regular captain, Dev Khanal.
PIC From: CAN
The squad, carefully selected for the highly anticipated tournament, sees two changes from the U19 Asia Cup lineup. Dipak Bohara has been included in the squad, while the unfortunate injury to speedster Hemant Dhami has led to the introduction of Durgesh Gupta.
The pace attack for Nepal includes Gulshan Jha and Akash Chand, while the spin department features the skills of Dipesh Kandel, Subash Bhandari, and Tilak Bhandari. Keep an eye on the formidable batting trio of Dev Khanal, Arjun Kumal, and Bipin Rawal.
Prior to the U19 Cricket World Cup, Team Nepal is gearing up with a high-performance camp in South Africa scheduled from January 5th to 12th. The squad is set to depart for South Africa on January 4th following a farewell program organized by CAN.
The U19 World Cup, originally slated to be held in Sri Lanka, underwent a venue change to South Africa due to the suspension of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board by the ICC. The tournament is scheduled to run from January 19 to February 11.
Nepal finds itself placed in Group D alongside formidable opponents like Pakistan, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. The action kicks off for Nepal U19 on January 21 against New Zealand U19, followed by clashes with Pakistan on February 24 and Afghanistan in February. Buffalo Park, East London, will be the exclusive venue for all of Nepal's group stage matches.
The selected squad includes: Captain Dev Khanal, Dipesh Kandel, Gulshan Jha, Durgesh Gupta, Subash Bhandari, Aakash Tripathi, Arjun Kumal, Deepak Bohara, wicketkeeper Uttam Thapa Magar, Dipak Dumre, Aakash Chand, Bishal KC, Tilak Raj Bhandari, Bipin Rawal (wicketkeeper), and Dipak Bohara.
With a promising blend of talent and experience, Nepal's U19 squad is set to embark on their journey in the U19 Cricket World Cup, aiming to make a mark on the international stage. Stay tuned for updates and highlights as these young cricketers showcase their skills and passion for the game.