Arjun Kumal earns CWCL2 call-up as Nepal name squad for UAE and Oman tri-series

Arjun Kumal has earned a place in Nepal's squad for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series against UAE and Oman, capping a strong domestic season that forced him into the national-team conversation.

Rohit Paudel will lead the side in the ODI assignment, with Dipendra Singh Airee named vice-captain. The squad also includes Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Binod Bhandari, Nandan Yadav and Karan KC.

Kumal's inclusion is one of the standout selection calls. The Gandaki opener had built a compelling case through the PM Cup, where he scored 504 runs in 9 innings with and average of 84.00, including two centuries and two half centuries. His form had already turned him into one of the main domestic stories of the season, and the selectors have now backed that run with a spot in the main squad.

Binod Bhandari also returns in the main group after an impressive domestic campaign. His selection follows a strong PM Cup in which he produced some of the most notable knocks of the tournament. Bhandari was third in the leading run scorer with 404 runs with an average of 45, including two centuries and a fifty.

Nepal have also named a five-player reserve group of Hemant Dhami, Sher Malla, Rijan Dhakal, Ishan Pandey and Dev Khanal. All five had either strong PM Cup campaigns or remained close to the national setup, and their inclusion keeps Nepal covered across departments ahead of a busy League 2 stretch.
The tri-series against UAE and Oman begins on April 25 and runs until May 5 in Kirtipur.

Squad

Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee (vc), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Binod Bhandari, Nandan Yadav, Arjun Kumal, Karan KC

Reserves: Hemant Dhami, Sher Malla, Rijan Dhakal, Ishan Pandey, Dev Khanal