PAK vs NEP: Aakash Chopra Highlights Sandeep Lamichhane's Wicket-Taking Ability Ahead Of Asia Cup 2023
Published - 29 Aug 2023, 02:19 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:17 AM
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra stated that young spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will be a valuable asset for Nepal in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. Aakash Chopra emphasized that Sandeep Lamichhane has an incredible record with the ball in the 50-over format.
The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17. Nepal have been grouped with India and Pakistan in Group A for the tournament. The Nepal team will face Pakistan in the opening match of the tournament in Multan.
Sandeep Lamichhane’s Performances Have Been Incredible – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra described Sandeep Lamichhane as a wicket-taking bowler. Chopra highlighted that Nepal’s batting lineup is well-established, having maintained the same lineup for the past year.
“In the spin department, they have a wicket-taking bowler, goes by the name of Sandeep Lamichhane. He has played 49 matches and has picked up 111 wickets in them,” Chopra said.
“He has a best of 6/11 and the economy rate is 4.27. He has eight four-wicket hauls (apart from two six and a five-wicket haul) in a 49-match career. Sandeep Lamichhane’s performances have been incredible.”
Sandeep was included in the squad despite being involved in a sexual assault case. He was suspended by CAN in September 2022. The Nepal Board lifted his suspension in January this year. He rejoined the national squad for the Cricket World Cup League 2 series in Dubai in March.
Never Played With The Same Pace-Bowling Unit – Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator emphasized that the Nepal team have not provided consistent opportunities to the pace bowlers. He said that the Rohit Paudel-led team didn’t have experience playing against top teams.
“Never played with the same pace-bowling unit in consecutive matches in the last 10 ODIs. The same five bowlers don’t play consistently and that is why probably they don’t have that much stability in the bowling department. I am talking about the pace-bowling unit, you will still get the same spinners.”
“Don’t have experience of playing against big teams. This is going to be another problem, which you can see as a weakness because they haven’t played at this level. I was talking to Paras Khadka (former Nepal captain) and he said it would be enough if they give fight to the opposition team,” he concluded.
Nepal Squad: Rohit Paudel (c), Asif Sheikh (wk), Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Rajbanshi, Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, D.S Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Arif Sheikh, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Kishor Mahato, Sundeep Jora, Arjun Saud, Shyam Dhakal.
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