Nepal have won the toss and elected to bat first against India ‘A’ in the ongoing ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023 being played at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo on Monday.

Nepal’s playing XI includes Rohit Kumar Paudel (captain), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Dev Khanal, Rohit Paudel, Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Pawan Sarraf, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Kishore Mahato and Lalit Rajbanshi.

Earlier on Friday, the Rhinos had succumbed to a comprehensive four-wicket defeat against Pakistan ‘A’ in their opening match at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground in Sri Lanka.

Nepal, pitted in Group ‘B’, will play their last group match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their last group match on Wednesday.

Nepal are playing without their regular players Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane and Aarif Sheikh. While Airee and Lamichhane were in Canada to play the Global T20 tournament, Sheikh pulled out owing to personal reasons.