Nepal have made a major leadership change ahead of the upcoming ACC Men’s Premier Cup, with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announcing a new captain for the 50-over side. The tournament, scheduled to take place in Malaysia from August 30 to September 12, will provide Nepal with an important opportunity to strengthen their position among Asia’s leading associate teams.
Nepal unveils new captain in ODIs
Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been named Nepal’s new ODI captain, replacing Rohit Paudel at the helm. CAN confirmed the leadership change while announcing Nepal’s squad for the ACC Men’s Premier Cup. The 26-year-old is no stranger to leading Nepal in the 50-over format. Lamichhane previously captained the side in 14 ODIs before Paudel took over in late 2022. His return marks another significant chapter in his international career.
Lamichhane has established himself as one of Nepal’s most influential cricketers. He has picked up 154 wickets in 77 ODIs and became the fastest Nepalese bowler to reach the landmark of 150 ODI wickets. His achievements extend beyond the 50-over format as well. Lamichhane was the first player from Nepal to cross 100 wickets in T20 internationals, underlining his importance to the country’s cricketing setup.
The ACC Men’s Premier Cup is a 50-over tournament conducted by the Asian Cricket Council for associate nations. It serves as an important platform for teams outside the traditional Asian cricketing powerhouses and can also provide a pathway towards the Asia Cup.
Rohit Paudel leaves behind a strong legacy
Lamichhane takes charge after Paudel’s successful stint as Nepal’s ODI captain. The right-handed batter was handed the leadership role in late 2022 and subsequently oversaw one of the most impressive phases in Nepal’s recent 50-over cricket.
One of the biggest highlights of Paudel’s tenure came in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. Nepal produced a remarkable late surge, winning 11 of their final 12 matches to secure direct qualification for the ODI World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in June 2023. Paudel’s contribution was not limited to leadership. He also provided valuable runs from the middle order and became an important part of Nepal’s batting unit. With Lamichhane now back in charge, Nepal will hope to carry forward the progress made during Paudel’s tenure while bringing a fresh approach to their ODI campaign.
Nepal squad for ACC Men’s Premier Cup
Nepal have also made several changes to their squad for the upcoming tournament. Kushal Bhurtel, Bhim Sharki, Nandan Yadav and Binod Bhandari have been left out, while experienced campaigners Sompal Kami and Aarif Sheikh return to the setup. Dev Khanal, Sher Malla, Sundeep Jora and Basir Ahamad have also been included in the 14-member squad.
The 2026 edition will be the third staging of the Premier Cup and will return to the 50-over format used in the inaugural 2023 edition. Nepal won that competition on home soil and will now look to make another strong push in Malaysia.
Nepal squad for ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026: Sandeep Lamichhane (c), Aasif Sheikh, Arjun Kumal, Rohit Paudel, Dev Khanal, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sundeep Jora, Basir Ahamad, Ishan Pandey, Gulsan Jha, Sher Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC and Hemant Dhami
