The Nepali U-19 cricket team for the upcoming U-19 Asia Cup has been announced, with several notable inclusions and exclusions. Former national cricketer Shakti Gauchan has been appointed as the team’s head coach, and Dhirendra Chand, another former national player, will serve as the assistant coach. Gauchan recently led the Lumbini Province U-19 team to the finals of the U-19 National Tournament held in Biratnagar, while Chand coached the championship-winning Sudurpaschim team.
Fast bowlers Rajesh Yadav and Dayanand Mandal, along with wicketkeeper-batsman Dilshad Ali, have been left out of the 18-member preliminary squad.
The team will be led by Hemant Dhami, a right-arm fast bowler who made his senior debut for Nepal in February 2024. Dhami was the captain of Sudurpaschim, the champions of the recent U-19 National Tournament, where he claimed 4 wickets in the final and was named Player of the Final. The vice-captain is Arjun Kumal, a wicketkeeper-batsman who represented Nepal in the U-19 World Cup earlier this year and also debuted for Nepal ‘A’ against Ireland ‘A’ in April.
The batting lineup is anchored by Arjun Kumal, along with fellow U-19 World Cup alumni Aakash Tripathi and Uttam Thapa Magar, and includes in-form players like Roshan Bishwakarma and Naren Bhatta.
The pace attack, apart from Dhami, features Bipin Mahato, who took 16 wickets in the U-19 Nationals, and Abhishek Tiwari, who brings leadership experience as a former U-16 national team captain.
The squad boasts a strong spin department, led by Santosh Yadav, the Player of the Tournament in the U-19 Nationals, who took 27 wickets and contributed crucial runs. He will be supported by left-arm spinners Aprajit Paudel and Ranjit Kumar, along with leg-spinner Yuvraj Khatri and off-spinner Unish Bikram Singh Thakuri, all of whom impressed with their performances in the national tournament.
Final Squad:
- Hemant Dhami (C)
- Arjun Kumal (VC)
- Naren Saud
- Aakash Tripathi
- Mayan Yadav
- Naren Bhatta
- Roshan Bishwakarma
- Bipin Kumar Mahato
- Aprajit Poudel
- Santosh Yadav
- Yuvraj Khatri
- Ranjit Kumar
- Uttam Rangu Thapa Magar
- Unish Bikram Singh Thakuri
- Abhishek Tiwari
Nepal’s U-19 Asia Cup Schedule
In the U-19 Asia Cup, Nepal will face Sri Lanka on November 29, Bangladesh on December 1, and Afghanistan on December 3. The 50-over tournament will be held in the UAE. The ACC-organized event will feature eight Asian teams, including five Test-playing nations. Nepal, UAE, and Japan qualified for the tournament after securing the top three spots in the ACC Premier Cup last year, where Nepal emerged as the champion by defeating UAE in the final.
The teams are divided into two groups. Nepal is in Group B with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, while Group A includes India, Pakistan, Japan, and UAE. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, with the final scheduled for December 8.
November 29: Nepal vs. Sri Lanka (Sharjah)
December 1: Nepal vs. Bangladesh (Dubai)
December 3: Nepal vs. Afghanistan (Sharjah)
