As ICC readmits Nepal, skipper Paras Khadka steps down; Explains why

Nepal's skipper Paras Khadka has stepped down as the captain of the side hours after the country was readmitted by the ICC along with Zimbabwe. Nepal were suspended in 2016 by the cricket governing body for breach of the ICC regulations which prohibits government interference and requires fair elections. Election of a 17-member central working committee for the Cricket Association of Nepal earlier this month paved the way for their re-admittance to the ICC full members. Paras Khadka scripted history as he became the first captain to score a century in a T20 game while chasing as Nepal beat Singapore comfortably in the Singapore T20 tri-series earlier this year. Paras Khadka announced his decision to step down from the captaincy and wished the new committee luck to work towards raising the standards of cricket in the nation. 

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Paras Khadka steps down as Nepal skipper

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Paras Khadka's record-studded stint as skipper

The Nepal skipper is widely regarded as the best batsman of the country and has gone to break many records and create many firsts for the cricketers of the associate country. Paras Khadka's fiery knock of 106 runs came off 52 balls with seven fours and nine sixes. Another new record that was etched was that Nepal’s chase also became the lowest T20I score in which a batsman has scored a century. The previous best by a captain while chasing belonged to Netherlands Pieter Seelaar who scored an unbeaten 96 against Scotland barely 12 days ago. Australia’s Steve Smith (90 vs England) is fourth on the list followed by West Indian talisman Chris Gayle (88 vs Australia). Previously, Glenn Maxwell held the record with his unbeaten knock of 103 runs as Australia chased 161 runs against England in 2018. Paras Khadka also became the first T20 centurion for Nepal, adding another feather to his already studded cap. The skipper was given support from Aarif Sheikh, who made 38 runs of 39 balls. The duo went on to record the fifth-highest partnership for the second wicket with a 145-run stand. 

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