Kushal Malla is back in Nepal’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games. He returns under new captain Dipendra Singh Airee, who takes charge of his first multi-team tournament since replacing Rohit Paudel.
The allrounder had missed the T20 World Cup earlier this year but has since forced his way back into contention with the bat and ball.
Malla’s Form Since Comeback Boosts Selection Case
Malla returned to the side in April and has racked up 130 runs since, which also includes an unbeaten 85 against China. That knock places him among a small group, as he is one of only five Nepal batters to cross 1000 runs in T20Is. His left-arm spin has also contributed, with six wickets picked up in the same period. The numbers explain why selectors brought him back into the fold for Japan, even after he sat out the World Cup.
Not everyone from that World Cup squad made the cut this time. Basir Ahamad, who played in the tournament and also featured against UAE in a bilateral series, has been left out of the 15-member group named for the Games.
Airee Leads Nepal Into First Multi-Team Assignment
This tournament will be Airee’s first as captain in a multi-team event involving Full Member nations. He took over the T20I captaincy from Rohit Paudel after the World Cup in February, and he already has experience leading the side at the Asian Games Qualifier held in May and June. Paudel remains part of the squad despite losing the captaincy.
The group blends youth with experience. Sandeep Lamichhane continues as ODI captain and anchors the spin attack alongside Lalit Rajbanshi and Sher Malla, who debuted against England during the World Cup and has taken eight wickets in four matches since. Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Karan KC and Sompal Kami bring seasoned presence to the squad, while Gulsan Jha and Airee himself add depth as all-round options. Karan, Kami and Nandan Yadav form the core of the pace bowling unit.
Nepal Faces Afghanistan and Japan in Opening Fixtures
The men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games begins on September 24 in Nisshin, Japan, and runs through to the final on October 3. Nepal opens its campaign against Afghanistan on September 25, followed by a match against Japan the next day. Those two fixtures will set the tone for how far the side can advance in the tournament.
With Malla back among the runs and wickets, and Airee settling into his new leadership role, Nepal head into the Games with a squad that mixes recent form with tournament experience. The team’s performance against Afghanistan and Japan in the opening days will likely shape expectations for the rest of the competition.
Nepal’s full squad for the Asian Games
Dipendra Singh Airee (captain), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Aarif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Sundeep Jora, Lokesh Bam, Sandeep Lamichhane, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla.
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