Nepal announce squad for historic T20I series against West Indies, recall young batter after 3 years

Nepal on September 22 named their 16-member squad for the three-T20I series against West Indies, their first bilateral series against a full-member nation. Mohammad Aadil Alam and Sundeep Jora have been recalled to the squad. The T20I series will begin on September 27 in UAE.

Alam's last appearance for Nepal was in August 2022. From eight games, he has scored 110 runs from eight innings at an average of 15.71 and strike rate of 142.85.

23-year-old Jora will play his first T20I since Nepal's exit from T20 World Cup 2024. He has 388 runs from 31 T20Is at an average of 19.40 and strike rate of 118.29. He has three T20I fifties to his name.

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Another player returning to the team is left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi. He had missed the Top End T20 series in Australia where Nepal beat Hobart Hurricanes Academy and Melbourne Renegades Academy.

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Skipper Rohit Paudel is confident about his side's chances against a second-string West Indies side led by Akeal Hosein.

"We are confident and positive," Paudel said. "The last two years of exposure playing against Test nations has also brought good experience, and the team is balanced with the presence of Jora and Aadil Alam."

Nepal squad for West Indies T20Is

Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee (vc), Aasif Sheikh (wk), Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Lokesh Bam, Kushal Malla, Mohammad Adil Alam, Aarif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulsan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sompal Kami, Shahab Alam.

Why West Indies named a second-string squad for Nepal series?

West Indies have named a second-string squad as the senior players will be gearing up for the two-Test series on Indian soil. Hosein who played a pivotal role in leading Trinbago Knight Riders to their fifth Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title, will be leading the team. The team features as many as five uncapped players -- Ackeem Auguste, Navin Bidaisee, Zishan Motara, Ramon Simmonds and Amir Jangoo.

West Indies squad for Nepal T20Is

Akeal Hosein (c), Fabian Allen, Jewel Andrew, Ackeem Auguste, Navin Bidaisse, Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Karima Gore, Jason Holder, Amir Jangoo, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Zishan Motara, Ramon Simmonds and Shamar Springer.