The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a seven-member squad for the upcoming Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024, set to take place in Hong Kong, China, from November 1 to 3. The team will be led by Sundeep Jora as captain.
Alongside Jora, the squad features national team players Lokesh Bam, Bibek Yadav, Pratish GC, and Rashid Khan. Young cricketers Narayan Joshi and Dipendra Rawat have also earned their spots in the team.
Jora is a batter, while Lokesh Bam serves as a wicketkeeper-batter. Bibek, Pratish, Rashid, and Narayan are all-rounders, and Dipendra Rawat is a left-arm spinner who regularly plays domestic cricket for Karnali Province. Narayan Joshi, a former member of Nepal’s U-19 and ‘A’ teams, is known for his aggressive batting and medium-pace bowling skills.
Former national team captain Gyanendra Malla has been appointed as the team’s coach for the tournament.
Nepal has been placed in Group B alongside Australia and England. They will play their first match against England on November 1 and their second match against Australia on November 2.
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament will feature a total of 12 teams, including 8 Test-playing nations. The teams are divided into four groups of three. Each match will consist of six overs per side, with only six players allowed to play in each team. A bowler can bowl a maximum of one over per innings, except for one player who can bowl two overs.
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes began in 1993, with the last edition being held in 2017, where South Africa won their fifth title by defeating Pakistan. This will be Nepal’s debut appearance in the tournament.