The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has officially announced a 15-member squad set to compete in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series in the UAE, scheduled to commence on October 26 and conclude on November 5, 2025. Nepal will face off against the United States and the United Arab Emirates in a bid to improve their standing in the 2024-2026 League 2 cycle
Nepal currently sits in seventh place within the eight-team League 2 standings with 12 points from 16 matches. A strong performance in this series is crucial for the Rhinos as they aim to climb the table and vie for direct qualification to the 2027 World Cup Qualifier, or at least avoid the playoffs.
The team features a blend of seasoned campaigners and exciting young talent under the leadership of captain Rohit Kumar Paudel, with Dipendra Singh Airee serving as vice-captain.
Here is the 15-member Nepal squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series:
Player
Rohit Kumar Paudel Captain
Dipendra Singh Airee (vc)
Mohammad Aasif Sheikh
Bhim Sharki
Sompal Kami
Karan K.C.
Nandan Yadav
Kushal Bhurtel
Mohammad Aarif Sheikh
Gulshan Jha
Shahab Alam
Anil Kumar Shah
Bhim Sharki
Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi
Sandeep Lamichane
Notable inclusions in the squad are the returns of Anil Kumar Shah and Bhim Sharki, who will look to make a significant impact with their performances. Meanwhile, Kushal Malla retains his place despite recent inconsistencies, indicating the selectors' continued faith in his potential.
Nepal's historical performances in the League 2 have been mixed. While they have enjoyed success against teams like Scotland and the Netherlands, their record in the ODI format this year has been somewhat inconsistent. They will be looking to build on recent victories and translate that momentum into a positive showing in the upcoming series, particularly after recent wins against Scotland and the Netherlands.
The upcoming matches against the USA and UAE offer a critical opportunity for Nepal to demonstrate their progress and push for a higher position in the League 2 standings, a key step on their road to the 2027 Cricket World Cup
