Cricket Kitchen

Nepal Prepares for Canada Tour! (Probable 15-Man Squad)

April 29, 2025

Nepal has returned from a two-week high-performance training camp in India, as part of its preparation for the upcoming Canada tour. Out of the 22 players in the preliminary squad, 20 trained at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.

Nepali captain Rohit Kumar Paudel and all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee did not attend the camp in India as they are continuing their training in Canada. Similarly, spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who is also currently in Canada, joined the training in India briefly.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is expected to announce the official 15-member ODI squad for the Canada tour within the next few days. In the meantime, based on current form and recent involvement, we have prepared a likely 15-player squad, which is discussed in detail in our video—be sure to watch it until the end!

Interestingly, seven players from the 22-man preliminary list will not be part of the Canada tour. This includes T20 World Cup squad members Abinash Bohora and Pratish GC, who have been left out.

Predicted 15-Member Nepal Squad for Canada Tour:

• Openers:

  • Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh will continue as Nepal’s first-choice openers.

  • Anil Kumar Shah, who recently made a comeback, will serve as the backup opener and bat at No. 4.

• Middle Order:

  • Rohit Kumar Paudel (No. 3) will anchor the batting lineup.

  • Bhim Sharki, Nepal’s dependable ODI batter, will take the No. 5 spot.

  • Dev Khanal, current U19 captain, is expected at No. 6.

  • Dipendra Singh Airee, the main all-rounder, will bat at No. 7.

  • One of Gulshan Jha, Kushal Malla, or Aarif Sheikh will slot in at No. 8 depending on pitch conditions:

    • Fast-bowling conditions: Gulshan or Aarif

    • Spin-friendly pitches: Kushal Malla
      These three also serve as middle-order backups.

• Pace Attack:

  • Sompal Kami and Karan KC will lead the pace unit.

  • Kamal Singh Airee could make the squad as a backup seamer.

• Spin Department:

  • Sandeep Lamichhane remains Nepal’s frontline spinner.

  • Depending on pitch conditions, Lalit Rajbanshi or Rijhan Dhakal may be picked as the 15th player.

  • Dipendra Singh Airee will support the spin unit.

  • Part-time spin options include Kushal Bhurtel, Rohit Paudel, and Kushal Malla.

Players Unlikely to Make the Final Cut:

• Basir Ahmad, Aakash Chand, Sandeep Jora, Sagar Dhakal, and Surya Tamang are unlikely to feature in the final squad for this tour.

Possible 15 Men Squad:

Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Kumar Paudel (C), Anil Kumar Shah, Bhim Sharki, Dev Khanal, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kamal Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi or Rijhan Dhakal

This lineup balances experience and youth, with a flexible middle order and a pace-spin combo suited for varied pitch conditions. The final decision by CAN will clarify the exact composition in the coming days.

Photos: CAN Facebook Page