Sandeep Lamichhane becomes Nepal captain replacing Gyanendra Malla

Leg spinner and star cricketer of Nepal Sandeep Lamichhane has replaced Gyanendra Malla as the captain of Nepal. The 21-year-old has made himself a star of the country while plying his trade in several T20 leagues across the world and this comes as another highlight of his career.

Lamichhane is currently in Australia, playing for Hobart Hurricanes in his fourth season of the Big Bash League. It has to be noted that 31-year-old Malla recently starred for his nation by smashing two back-to-back half-centuries in ODIs against Oman and USA. However, Malla and vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee came under scanner after their recent controversies with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

Sandeep Lamichhane recently led Kathmandu Kings in Everest Premier League

It has been reported by ESPNcricinfo that the former skipper of Nepal and his deputy had some dispute over their contracts with the cricket board of their nation. Talking about Lamichhane, he has the credit of leading Nepal in U19 in 2016 in the Asia Cup and later in 2017. His latest captaincy experience happens to be while leading his side Kathmandu Kings in Nepal’s domestic T20 tournament in the Everest Premier League. However, now, Lamichhane’s first outing as captain would be during the 2022 T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. The event is all scheduled to kick off in Oman in February 2022.

Talking about the dispute between players and CAN, it has been going since the early days of October where players had issues with the way graded central contracts have been awarded. Players also reported having objections to match fees and distribution of prize money. CAN President was also reported of criticizing his players for raising their voice against the board. Earlier in the day, Nepal’s U19 squad for Asia Cup also came to the fore where Dev Khanal will be leading the side.

Nepal’s U19 squad for Asia Cup – Dev Khanal (c), Sher Malla (vc), Dipesh Kandel, Vivek Yadav, Vivek Rana Magar, Gulshan Jha, Santosh Karki, Adil Ansari, Tilak Raj Bhandari, Arjun Kumal, Vasir Ahmed, Durgesh Gupta, Prakash Jaisi, Arjun Saud, Rahul Bhandari