Binod Das has been appointed captain of the national team for the February’s World Cup Qualifying Series Division II in Malaysia as former captain Raju Khadka failed to make a comeback to the team.
Mehboob Alam and Dipendra Chaudhary, who were axed along with Raju after the 10-wicket loss to United Arab Emirates at home, are included in the team after their impressive performance in the recently concluded Birendra Memorial National League.
Those missing the team include wicket-keeper Manoj Katuwal, replaced by Baitadi’s Manoj Vaishya, spinner Raju Basnet, injured, and Bikash Dali. Manoj Katuwal is among the four alternatives while Bikash was excluded after his failure in the national league.
Shakti Gauchan, captain of Under-19 side, has been named Binod’s assistant while one-match captain Paresh Lohani is freed from captaincy. The fourteen member team announced today include Binod Das (captain), Shakti Gauchan (vice-captain), Paresh Lohani, Mehboob Alam, Manjeet Shrestha, Kaniska Chaugai, Manoj Vaishya (wicket-keeper), Sarad Vesawkar, Sanjam Regmi, Raj Kumar Pradhan, Dipendra Chaudhary, Yunil Shrestha, Paras Khadka and Lakpa Lama.
The four alternative players are Manoj Katuwal (wk), Dhirendra Chand, Basant Regmi and Raj Shrestha. Binod has captained Nepal’s U-17 and U-19 side in the past and has been long vice-captain of the national squad.