Nepal Locks In 15-Member Cricket Squad for Asian Games 2026 as Airee Takes Charge

Nepal has officially unveiled its 15-member men’s cricket squad for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, putting together a lineup that blends proven experience with enough firepower to cause problems on the regional stage.

Dipendra Singh Airee will lead the side, a move that underlines Nepal’s confidence in one of its most important modern white-ball players. The squad also includes big names such as Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sompal Kami, and Sandeep Lamichhane, giving Nepal a strong core heading into one of the biggest multi-sport events in Asia.

A squad built around experience and impact

The selection is notable for how familiar it feels. Nepal has leaned into continuity, keeping together several players who have already carried the team through major international moments. That includes the aggressive middle-order presence of Airee, the leadership and batting quality of Paudel, the pace of Sompal Kami, and Lamichhane’s wicket-taking threat in the middle overs.

That mix gives Nepal multiple ways to win matches. They have batting depth, spin variety, and pace options, which should matter at a tournament where quick adaptation can separate the contenders from the rest.

Key names in Nepal’s Asian Games squad

The squad features Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Rajbanshi, Gulsan Jha, Nandan Yadav, Lokesh Bam, Sundeep Jora, Sher Malla, and Kushal Malla.

That lineup gives Nepal a recognizable blend of all-round options, top-order stability, and bowlers capable of handling pressure in short-format cricket. It also suggests the team is being assembled with tournament flexibility in mind rather than relying on one or two stars to do everything.

Why this squad matters

The Asian Games remain a major stage for cricket teams trying to build momentum beyond bilateral series and ICC events. For Nepal, this is another chance to showcase how far the men’s program has come and to test itself against strong opposition in a high-profile multi-sport setting.

With Airee at the helm, Nepal will likely aim for an aggressive and disciplined T20 approach. The presence of Paudel, Lamichhane, and Kami adds seniority, while younger or less established names provide the possibility of breakout performances.

The bigger picture for Nepali cricket

This announcement also reflects Nepal’s growing depth in the format. Instead of depending on a narrow group of players, the squad shows that the team now has enough options to build a competitive XI around different matchups and conditions.

For fans, the headline is simple: Nepal is taking a serious, familiar, and well-rounded group into Japan. If the team clicks at the right time, it has the kind of talent capable of making the Asian Games campaign genuinely memorable.