Cricket Kitchen

Kalam Ali, Basanta Shahi Appointed Nepal Cricket Team Assistant Coaches

April 20, 2026

 

Kathmandu –  The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has appointed Kalam Ali and Basanta Shahi Thakuri as assistant coaches of the Nepal men’s national cricket team.

Kalam previously served as head coach of Nepal ‘A’, while Basanta has prior experience as an assistant coach of the national team. Their appointments come ahead of the upcoming T20I series against the UAE and the ICC World Cricket League 2.

Kalam has coached Bagmati Province in the PM Cup and Chitwan Rhinos in the Nepal Premier League, while Basanta worked with Lumbini Province and Kathmandu Gurkhas in domestic competitions.

The positions had remained vacant after former assistant coach Gyanendra Malla resigned to enter politics through the Rastriya Swatantra Party, though he was not elected to parliament.