Gyanmandu:
Nepal announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup Asia Qualifier. Emerging national team star Rohit Paudel is set to lead the team for the crucial tournament in Malaysia beginning from April 12. The Asia Qualifier decides on advancing only the champions into the 2020 U-19 World Cup in South Africa.
The team member comprises of Rohit Paudel(Captain) , Sundeep Jora, Bhim Sharki, Aasif Sheikh and Pawan Sarraf, the senior squad along side Hari Bahadur Chauhan, Kamal Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Pratis GC, Rashid Khan, Rit Gautam, Avishek Basnet, Sagar Dhakal and Surya Tamang. Players who went on the India Tour Aakash Chand, Lokesh Bahadur Bam, Ravi Kumar Sah and Sher Malla have been kept as reserves and substitutes. Nepali team will be coached by former national team skipper Binod Das. Nepal will leave for Malaysia on April 6 where they will undergo practice sessions.
Looking at the U-19 World Cup Qualifier history, Nepal first qualified in 2000's game in Sri Lanka, again for the 2002 game in New Zealand , 2004 in Bangladesh, a great comeback for the match in 2006 in Sri Lanka, 2008 game in Malaysia but it became quite unfortunate for Nepal did not qualify for the main event on 2009, a great comeback on going the qualifiers Nepal rises up on 2011 qualifiers becoming the runner ups and qualifying to play the U-19 World Cup of 2012. However a little disappointment in year 2013(unqualified for 2014 world cup) but 2015 was a brilliant year as Nepal won the qualifiers that led them further in playing the U-19 World Cup match of 2016.
Nepal will debut the game with it's match against Singapore on the opening day, following the game on April 13th against UAE, the third match against Malaysia on the 15th April, similarly the fourth match is set against Oman on the 16th of April. Wrapping up the Qualifiers Nepal will face Kuwait oin the 18th April.
The following list contains the 14 players in the preliminary squad for the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup qualifiers:
