Nepal’s national team will now be led by Gyanendra Malla. Malla, who served as the vice-captain of the national team was appointed captain following the resignation of former captain Paras Khadka. Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has confirmed awarding the position to the 29 year old promising cricketer.
Malla is a right-handed batsman and an occasional wicket-keeper. He made his debut for Nepal against Namibia in 2006, and was a part of the first eleven squad representing Nepal in its first ever One Day International match against the Netherlands in August, 2018. He was made vice-captain in August 2018 during the 2018 Asia Cup Qualifier, and continued to serve the team in the same capacity until today’s announcement.
Captain Gyanendra Malla has therefore formally replaced former Captain Paras Khadka as the captain of the national team. Paras Khadka had announced his resignation on Oct 15 via social media – a day after ICC lifted its ban on CAN, and recognised Nepal as an ICC member. Under the able captaincy and vice-captaincy of Khadka and Malla, Nepal’s cricket team witnessed earlier unwitnessed heights. In 2014, Nepal clinched a berth in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, and in 2018 Nepal gained One Day International (ODI) status for the first time in history.
Welcoming the decision by CAN, Paras Khadka tweeted:
Congratulations to the most deserving person @gyanu_gm11 on being appointed as the Captain of the Nepal Cricket Team. One who has served the country with great passion,discipline and commitment.I am very sure we will prosper under his leadership to new heights. pic.twitter.com/wbjK4wKnEI
— Paras Khadka (@paras77) October 30, 2019
