Legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane has taken over as Nepal’s ODI captain, replacing Rohit Paudel in the role. The Cricket Association of Nepal announced a 14-member squad for the ACC Men’s Premier Cup, which runs in Malaysia from August 30 to September 12, with Lamichhane leading the side.
This marks Lamichhane’s return to the ODI captaincy after his first stint ended abruptly in 2022.The Cricket Association of Nepal suspended him that year after an arrest warrant was issued against him. A Kathmandu district court found him guilty of rape in 2023.
The Patan High Court acquitted him in 2024, ruling that evidence against him was insufficient. Before his suspension, Lamichhane held the captaincy across both white-ball formats for Nepal. Dipendra Singh Airee currently leads the T20I side, and that arrangement remains unchanged.
Nepal’s Struggles in the 50-Over Format
Nepal enter the tournament under pressure in the ODI format. The team has lost four straight matches in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, a run that has dropped them to seventh place among eight competing sides.The captaincy change comes at a time when Nepal need a turnaround in results. Lamichhane inherits a side that is searching for consistency in the 50-over game.
He already carries ODI captaincy experience from his earlier tenure, having led the team in 14 matches before his suspension. His bowling record adds weight to his new role. He has taken 154 wickets in 77 ODIs, which includes a career-best 6 for 11 against Papua New Guinea in September 2021. That experience with the ball, paired with his previous leadership stint, formed the basis for his reappointment.
Lamichhane’s Recent Cricket Commitments
Beyond the 50-over format, Lamichhane remains a sought-after name on the T20 circuit. He has featured in 91 matches across leagues including the IPL, PSL, BBL, CPL, and most recently the BPL, and his wristspin has drawn interest from franchises across formats. His recent international schedule has not been free of setbacks, though.
In October 2025, the Cricket Association of Nepal suspended him for two T20Is after he withdrew from a match at short notice. He returned to represent Nepal at the T20 World Cup in February 2026, where the team won just one of its four matches.
Squad Named for ACC Men’s Premier Cup
The squad blends experienced campaigners with players who have featured across recent Nepal assignments, and the Cricket Association of Nepal will look to this group to arrest the side’s recent slide in 50-over cricket.
The ACC Men’s Premier Cup will serve as Lamichhane’s first assignment since reclaiming the captaincy, and Nepal’s performance in Malaysia will offer an early indication of whether the leadership change can shift the team’s fortunes in the format.
The 14-member squad selected for the tournament
Sandeep Lamichhane (captain), Rohit Paudel, Aasif Sheikh, Arjun Kumal, Dev Khanal, Dipendra Singh Airee, Basir Ahamad, Ishan Pandey, Gulshan Kumar Jha, Sher Malla, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Hemant Dhami, and Sundeep Jora.
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