Cricket Kitchen

Top 10 ODI Bowlers in Nepal Cricket History

April 29, 2025

Nepal made its One Day International (ODI) debut in 2018. Since that first match against the Netherlands, 28 different bowlers have bowled for Nepal in ODIs. Among them, how have they ranked? Who has taken how many wickets? Let’s take a detailed look.

 

10) Paras Khadka & Rohit Paudel (Tied)

In the 10th position are former captain Paras Khadka and current captain Rohit Paudel. After Nepal gained ODI status under Khadka’s leadership in 2018, he captained in 10 matches, bowling in 9 of them and taking 9 wickets in total.

Rohit Paudel also has 9 wickets and is jointly ranked 10th. Out of 61 ODIs played, he has bowled in only 10. With a remarkable economy of 3.74—the best among Nepal’s top 10 bowlers—he bowled 51.3 overs including 3 maidens. At 20 years and 73 days, he also became the second-youngest captain in ODI history, behind Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan.

9) Kushal Bhurtel

Currently an opener and part-time spinner, Kushal Bhurtel ranks 9th among Nepal’s top ODI bowlers. He has played 52 matches, bowling in 14 of them and taking 11 wickets with 1 maiden.

8) Sushan Bhari

Once considered a reliable spinner for Nepal, Sushan Bhari is ranked 8th. Though he hasn’t been part of the national team since 2022, he played 11 ODIs and took 15 wickets at an economy of 3.88.

7) Gulshan Jha

An all-rounder known for aggressive play, Gulshan Jha is 7th with 21 wickets from 25 matches. He bowled 120.3 overs, with just 2 maidens, and has the highest economy rate among Nepal’s top 10 ODI bowlers at 6.30.

6) Kushal Malla

A hard-hitting batter and handy spinner, Kushal Malla ranks 6th. He has taken 24 wickets in 30 of the 36 matches he bowled in.

5) Lalit Rajbanshi

Despite being a specialist bowler, Lalit Rajbanshi has had limited chances and ranks 5th. Out of 29 matches, he bowled in 25, delivering 206 overs with 13 maidens. He has 37 wickets at an economy of 3.80, with one 5-wicket haul and two 4-wicket hauls.

4) Dipendra Singh Airee

An all-rounder and middle-order mainstay, Dipendra Singh Airee ranks 4th with 38 wickets in 49 matches (from 55 played). He hasn’t taken any 4- or 5-wicket hauls, with his best being 3 wickets for 18 runs.

3) Sompal Kami

A veteran of two World Cups (2014 T20 and 2024 ODI), Sompal Kami ranks 3rd. From 54 ODIs, he has taken 71 wickets at an economy of 5.12.

2) Karan KC

Having played three more ODIs than Sompal, Karan KC ranks 2nd with 74 wickets from 51 matches. He has bowled 26 maidens with an economy of 5.30.

1) Sandeep Lamichhane

Nepal’s leading wicket-taker in both T20Is and ODIs, Sandeep Lamichhane sits atop the list. In 50 ODIs, he has claimed 112 wickets, averaging a wicket every 25 balls.He is also the only Nepali player with 100 wickets in both T20Is and ODIs. As of now, he ranks 47th in ICC ODI bowler rankings with 502 points.

Photo: espncricinfo.com