Anil Sah to lead Nepal A in Top End T20 Series

KATHMANDU - Anil Sah will captain Nepal A in the Top End T20 Series in Australia, with CAN naming a 15-member squad for the tournament in Darwin.

The squad includes a mix of senior national-team players, Nepal A regulars and emerging domestic names. Anil will lead a group featuring Trit Raj Das, Mayan Yadav, Kushal Bhurtel, Pawan Sarraf, Dipak Dumre, Kushal Malla, Lokesh Bam, Rashid Khan, Narayan Joshi, Aakash Chand, Shahab Alam, Bipin Khatri, Yuvraj Khatri and Rijan Dhakal.

The tournament will be played in Australia’s Northern Territory. CAN’s squad graphic lists Nepal A’s campaign from August 21 to 30, while Northern Territory Cricket has announced the broader 2026 Study NT Top End T20 Series window from August 20 to 30.

Nepal’s participation continues their connection with the Darwin tournament after their first appearance in 2025, which marked Nepal’s first senior cricket visit to Australian soil. Northern Territory Cricket had earlier confirmed Nepal’s return, citing the strong support from the Nepali community in Darwin and the growing international profile of the tournament.

This year’s squad also has a clear selection angle. Several players not named in Nepal’s ACC Men’s Premier Cup squad have been included for the Top End series, including Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla and Lokesh Bam.

For Kushal Bhurtel, the tournament offers a chance to regain white-ball rhythm after missing out on the Premier Cup squad. Kushal Malla and Lokesh also remain important T20 options, while Shahab Alam, Rijan Dhakal, Aakash Chand and Yuvraj Khatri give the bowling unit variety.

Anil’s captaincy continues his role as one of Nepal A’s key leaders. He also led Nepal A earlier this year, and this tournament gives him another opportunity to guide a squad built around fringe national players and young prospects.

The Top End T20 Series has grown as a development tournament, bringing together Australian domestic sides, academy teams and international invitees. The 2026 edition is expected to feature teams including NT Strike, New Zealand A, Bangladesh HP, ACT Comets and other Australian sides.

For Nepal, the tournament will be useful beyond results. With a busy white-ball calendar and selection questions still open, Darwin gives Nepal A players a platform to push for senior-team roles.

Nepal A Squad

Anil Kumar Sah (c), Trit Raj Das, Mayan Yadav, Kushal Bhurtel, Pawan Sarraf, Dipak Dumre, Kushal Malla, Lokesh Bam, Rashid Khan, Narayan Joshi, Aakash Chand, Shahab Alam, Bipin Khatri, Yuvraj Khatri, Rijan Dhakal.