Nepal on Monday announced a 17-member squad for the Asia Cup scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17.

Nepal, drawn in Group ‘A’ along with India and Pakistan, will vie against Pakistan at Multan on August 30 in the tournament opener. They will lock horns against India on September 4 at Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Unlike other tournaments of ICC and ACC, which normally has 15-member squad, each team of Asia Cup have a 17-member squad. India and Pakistan have already announced a 17-member squad.

The Group ‘B’ consists of Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in the One-Day International game. The two teams from each group will progress into the Super 4 round, where all teams will play against each other. The top two teams at the end of the Super 4 round will compete in the final on September 17.

The Rhinos had booked a spot in the tournament as the champions of ACC Premier Cup after securing a seven-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in the final at the TU Cricket Ground.

It is the second time Nepal has qualified for the Asia Cup after 2002, when they finished runners-up in the ACC Trophy. But the tournament did not take place due to the India-Pakistan conflict.

Nepali Squad:

Rohit Paudel, Asif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Rajbanshi, Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Arif Sheikh, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Kishor Mahato, Sundeep Jora, Arjun Saud and Shyam Dhakal.