Nepal Cricket Team Bidden Farewell for ACC Premier Cup: Sandeep Lamichhane Appointed Captain

15th August 2026, Kathmandu

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) officially bid farewell to the Nepalese national cricket team as they gear up for the upcoming ACC Men’s Premier Cup in Malaysia.

Nepal Cricket Farewell ACC Premier Cup

The team departed for India, where they will undergo a crucial 10-day intensive training camp before heading directly to Malaysia for the tournament.

Key Highlights

Captaincy: Leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been appointed to lead the Nepalese men’s ODI squad.

Preparation: The team is currently in Bangalore, India, for a 10-day training camp to adapt to conditions similar to Malaysia and rectify past mistakes.

Tournament Goal: The primary objective is to win the ACC Premier Cup and secure qualification for the Asia Cup.

Squad Size: A 14-member squad has been selected by CAN.

Lamichhane: “Our Target is to Bring the Trophy Home”

Speaking at the farewell program, captain Sandeep Lamichhane emphasized the team’s high motivation and clear vision. He noted that the camp in India serves as a vital opportunity to reflect on their journey, particularly following their matches against the Netherlands.

“We are heading to Malaysia with high motivation. Before that, we needed time to reflect on our journey. After returning from the Netherlands, we identified where we fell short and made mistakes. The camp in Bangalore has been organized to work on those areas,” Lamichhane stated.

He further added that the training conditions in India closely mirror those expected in Malaysia, allowing the players to fine-tune their skills and focus entirely on lifting the trophy.

Paras Khadka Addresses Squad Changes and Leadership

CAN Secretary and former national captain Paras Khadka acknowledged that the newly announced squad and leadership transition have sparked discussions among fans and media. However, he stressed that cricket is a team sport where every player’s contribution is equally vital.

Highlighting the appointment of Lamichhane, Khadka expressed strong confidence in the team’s potential:

Leadership Role: Re-introducing Sandeep Lamichhane to lead the ODI format.

Historical Progress: Recognizing the historic milestones achieved by Nepalese players over the past five to six years.

Institutional Support: Highlighting CAN’s ongoing commitment alongside the National Sports Council, Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Government of Nepal, and sponsors.

Khadka expressed firm belief that the Nepalese team will put up a stellar performance to conquer the tournament and qualify for the prestigious Asia Cup.

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ACC Premier Cup: 14-Member Nepalese Squad

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has finalized a balanced 14-member squad for the tournament under the leadership of Sandeep Lamichhane:

1. Sandeep Lamichhane (Captain)

2. Asif Sheikh

3. Arjun Kumal

4. Rohit Paudel

5. Dev Khanal

6. Dipendra Singh Airee

7. Basir Ahmed

8. Ishan Pandey

9. Gulsan Jha

10. Sher Malla

11. Lalit Rajbanshi

12. Karan KC

13. Hemant Dhami

14. Sundeep Jora

For more: Nepal Cricket Farewell ACC Premier Cup