National team skipper Rohit Paudel will lead the Lumbini Lions in the forthcoming Nepal Premier League. Lumbini Lions will be banking on his experience to lift the title. Aashutosh Ghiraiya or Arjun Saud is expected to open the innings alongside former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand, who will be looking to regain his form after struggling for runs lately.
Aashutosh Ghiraiya has been in exceptional touch this year, smashing centuries in both 50-over and 20-over formats on the domestic circuit. His performances in the PM Cup earned him a call-up to the Nepal ‘A’ squad for the series against Canada. On the other hand, Arjun Saud already has experience in international cricket. If Aashutosh opens the innings, Tom Moores will likely take on the wicketkeeping duties in the middle order.
Rohit Paudel is set to anchor the innings at the crucial No. 3 position, followed by Sundeep Jora, Ben Cutting, and Bibek Yadav in the middle order. Ben Cutting brings valuable experience from various franchise leagues, while Bibek Yadav is expected to play the role of a finisher. Rohit and Jora are well-equipped to stabilize the innings if the situation demands.
Overall, the batting department looks solid and well-rounded. However, the bowling unit appears relatively inexperienced. Canadian skipper Saad Bin Zafar will provide international expertise and mentorship to young bowlers like Surya Tamang and Tilak Raj Bhandari. The left-arm duo of Durgesh Gupta and Ramon Simmonds will need to shoulder the bulk of the bowling workload if the Lions are to make significant inroads against opposition lineups.
Additionally, the team can rely on the medium-pace all-round options of Bibek Yadav and Ben Cutting. While the batting lineup is a clear strength, the relatively young and untested bowling attack poses some questions that the team will need to address as the tournament progresses.
Marquee Player: Rohit Kumar Paudel
- Squad: Surya Tamang, Bibek Yadav, Sundeep Jora, Aashutosh Ghiraiya, Tilak Raj Bhandari, Durgesh Gupta, Arjun Saud, Dinesh Adhikari, Abhishesh Gautam, Bikash Aagri
- Foreign Players: Unmukt Chand, Ben Cutting, Tom Moores, Ramon Simmonds, Saad Bin Zafar
- Local Iconic Player : Arif Khan
- Head Coach: Nandan Phadnis (India)
- Consultant Coach: Shakti Gauchan (Nepal)
Probable playing XI
Aashutosh Ghiraiya/Arjun Saud
Unmukt Chand
Rohit Kumar Paudel
Sundeep Jora
Ben Cutting
Bibek Yadav
Saad Bin Zafar
Tilak Raj Bhandari/Dinesh Adhikari
Surya Tamang
Durgesh Gupta
Ramon Simmonds
