Sandeep Lamichhane Appointed Nepal ODI Captain Ahead of ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has officially appointed 26-year-old leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane as the national team’s One Day International (ODI) captain for the upcoming ACC Men’s Premier Cup. Lamichhane takes over the leadership role from Rohit Paudel, who had captained the national side since 2022.
What Happened
On August 10, 2026, CAN announced the leadership change alongside the unveiling of Nepal’s 14-member squad for the tournament. Lamichhane is returning to the captaincy role, having previously led Nepal in 14 ODIs before Paudel took charge. The cricket board did not issue an official explanation or statement detailing the reasons behind changing the captaincy.
Paudel, who guided Nepal to 11 victories out of 12 ODIs during the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, remains an integral part of the team and has been retained as a player in the 14-man squad.
Key Highlights
- Leadership Transition: Sandeep Lamichhane replaces Rohit Paudel as Nepal’s ODI captain starting with the ACC Men’s Premier Cup in Malaysia.
- Statistical Milestones: Lamichhane has claimed 154 wickets in 77 ODIs, making him the quickest bowler from Nepal to reach 150 ODI wickets. He is also the first Nepalese cricketer to secure 100 wickets in T20 Internationals.
- Paudel’s Captaincy Record: Under Paudel’s tenure, Nepal secured 11 wins from 12 matches during ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 fixtures.
- Tournament Details: The ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Malaysia from August 30 to September 12, 2026.
- Nepal Squad: Sandeep Lamichhane (C), Aasif Sheikh, Arjun Kumal, Rohit Paudel, Dev Khanal, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sundeep Jora, Basir Ahamad, Ishan Pandey, Gulsan Jha, Sher Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, and Hemant Dhami.
Why This Matters
The appointment marks the return of Nepal’s most accomplished white-ball wicket-taker to the helm of the national side. While the cricket board did not outline a specific rationale for the switch, retaining Paudel alongside experienced core players ensures that the leadership transition happens within a seasoned and familiar squad environment ahead of a critical regional competition.
What to Watch Next
Nepal will begin their ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 campaign in Malaysia on August 30, 2026. The 10-team tournament features the top eight teams from the 2024 edition along with two finalists from the 2026 ACC Men’s Challenger Cup, running through to September 12, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Sandeep Lamichhane begin his captaincy?
Lamichhane will formally take charge on the field when Nepal opens their ACC Men’s Premier Cup campaign in Malaysia on August 30, 2026.
Why was Rohit Paudel replaced as captain?
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) did not provide an official explanation or public reasoning for replacing Rohit Paudel with Sandeep Lamichhane when announcing the squad.
Is Rohit Paudel still in the Nepal squad?
Yes, Rohit Paudel has been retained in the 14-member squad and will play under Lamichhane’s captaincy during the tournament.
Source: Crictracker