Nepal names Sandeep Lamichhane new ODI captain

The Cricket Association of Nepal has replaced Rohit Paudel as the captain of the national One Day International team, appointing leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane to lead the side. The announcement was made on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, as part of the squad reveal for the upcoming ACC Men's Premier Cup in Malaysia. The governing body did not provide an official reason for the leadership change, which comes four months after Paudel was also removed as T20I captain.

Lamichhane, 26, returns to the role he previously held in 2022 before being suspended due to a legal case. He was later acquitted by a high court in 2024. The bowler has taken 154 wickets in 77 ODIs and previously captained Nepal in 14 matches in the format. His appointment follows a difficult period for the team, which has lost its last four ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 matches and now sits seventh among eight teams, jeopardizing its direct path to the ODI World Cup Qualifier.

Paudel, who was first named ODI captain in late 2022, leaves behind a significant legacy. Under his leadership, Nepal won 31 of its 63 ODIs. His tenure included a remarkable run where the team won 11 of its final 12 League 2 matches to secure...