Sharad Vesawkar and Basant Regmi have been left out of Nepal’s squad to tour Singapore and Oman, with a look to the future in mind.

Rumours that the pair had been dropped circulated around several Nepali cricket fan groups earlier today, though official word from the team is that the pair are simply being rested. On top of this, opening batsman Gyanendra Malla opted not to be available for selection, citing personal reasons.

In another bold move, 19-year-old Dipendra Singh Airee has been handed the vice captaincy, deputising Paras Khadka. Speaking to Emerging Cricket, Nepali writer Rajan Shah of Republica believes Airee is earmarked to one day take the senior reins after successful campaigns in T20 domestic cricket and at underage level.

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“Airee led his team Attariya to the title in the Dhangadi Premier League, working with Indian players like Sunny Patel, (Jaykishan) Kolsawala and foreign coaches Jonty Rhodes and Ryan Maron, and yet promoted a variety of young Nepali players like (Sundeep) Jora, and Dipendra Rawat.”

After Nepal failed to progress in T20 World Cup Qualification in Singapore, Sushan Bhari, Aarif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora make their respective returns.

Sushan Bhari, who bowls left arm orthodox like that of Basant Regmi, played his only game for the senior team (List A) against Hong Kong in 2017 in their WCLC campaign. With impressive economy, Bhari has been a consistent wicket taker in Nepal’s Everest Premier League and the Prime Minister Cup. Aarif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora last appeared on Nepal’s trip to UAE in January and February.

Rajan believes these changes rightfully reward performing players.

“Aarif is in good touch and Jora made twin fifties in U19 Asia Cup. Rajbanshi’s struggle on the last tour meant he needed competition, hence Bhari’s selection.”

Ishan Pandey and Kushal Malla enter the squad as potential debutants on the tour.

“This is fresh squad prioritising young players for the T20 games, which was bound to happen given the number of T20s, leagues, we play (back) at home. Kushal was in amazing form during the closed camps, Pandey gives left-hand option like Kushal,” Rajan continues.

“I think it is Nepal’s first step towards building a new team for T20s. Even if we can increase our pool for next year’s qualifiers for the India T20 world cup, it will be a success for this young team.”