{"id":762,"date":"2026-11-06T10:31:19","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T10:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/06\/who-is-in-nepals-cricket-team-in-2026-the-players-behind-the-scorecard\/"},"modified":"2026-11-06T10:31:19","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T10:31:19","slug":"who-is-in-nepals-cricket-team-in-2026-the-players-behind-the-scorecard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/06\/who-is-in-nepals-cricket-team-in-2026-the-players-behind-the-scorecard\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is in Nepal\u2019s Cricket Team in 2026? The players behind the scorecard"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last Updated on 44 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey<\/a><\/p>\n

Sandeep Lamichhane led Nepal\u2019s ODI side in October 2026 after replacing Rohit Paudel as captain in August. Their Cricket World Cup League 2 squad has 15 members, with Aasif Sheikh keeping wicket and several batting and bowling combinations available.<\/p>\n

Two results best illustrate those roles. Rohit\u2019s 101 off 127 balls<\/a> helped Nepal beat Canada on October 11, before three wickets apiece from Lamichhane and Nandan Yadav underpinned a 113-run victory<\/a> against Oman on October 13.<\/p>\n

Who are the key players for Nepal in 2026?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here is an in-depth look at Nepal\u2019s squad in ODI cricket, focusing on their key players and strengths.<\/p>\n

Rohit Paudel Still Anchors the Batting<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As of November 2026, Rohit Kumar Paudel is the only Nepal player to average 30+ in ODIs (min. 300 runs). He is the nation\u2019s all-time leading run-scorer in the format (2,616) at an average of 31.51 with 14 fifties and three hundreds.<\/p>\n

Paudel\u2019s innings often carry Nepal through difficult early and middle overs. His century against Canada demonstrated the value of staying in when early wickets threaten to derail the innings. Two days later against Oman, the right-hander made 61 from 67 balls, and then watched Karan KC add a rapid 40 at the end.<\/p>\n

Arjun Kumal and Ishan Pandey offer batting options near the top. Arjun scored 40 against Oman and Ishan added 37. Dev Khanal and Sundeep Jora provide depth.<\/p>\n

Aasif Sheikh Opens the Batting and Keeps Wicket<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Aasif Sheikh, Nepal\u2019s second-highest run-scorer in ODIs (2,209), combines top-order batting with wicketkeeping. Behind the stumps, the wicketkeeper contributes through catches, stumpings and run-out opportunities, even when his batting contribution is small.<\/p>\n

Dipendra Singh Airee is an established all-rounder who bowls off-spin and can accelerate in the middle order. Gulshan Jha offers a left-handed batting option and contributes medium pace. Basir Ahmad offers left-handed batting and slow left-arm spin. <\/p>\n

A key part of Nepal\u2019s cricketing philosophy over the years is selecting players who can perform in multiple disciplines. Selecting all-rounders provides a captain with enough bowling options without sacrificing batting depth.<\/p>\n

New-Ball Pace and Two Types of Spin<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Captain Lamichhane is an established legspinner and Nepal\u2019s highest-ever wicket-taker in ODIs (163). He averages an excellent 19.62 per wicket with an economy of 4.33.<\/p>\n

Lalit Rajbanshi uses offers left-arm orthodox. Along with Lamichhane, both normally turn away from a right-handed batter, although they use different release mechanics and angles, including Lamichhane\u2019s wrong-un. Exploiting these with different fields is crucial during the middle overs.<\/p>\n

Karan KC and Nandan Yadav provide seam bowling. Nandan took 3\/12 against Oman on October 13; Lamichhane claimed three for 28, while Karan added a destructive late batting cameo. Shahab Alam is another left-arm spin option and Sher Malla bowls off-spin. Pitch conditions and the makeup of the opposition batting lineup often determines which type of bowlers make the final XI.<\/p>\n

Nepal\u2019s squad for the October 2026 matches against Canada and Oman<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here is a recap of Nepal\u2019s squad that won three of four matches against Canada and Nepal in October 2026.<\/p>\n