Kathmandu: Nepal women’s cricket vice-captain Puja Mahato was promoted to captain on Saturday after regular skipper Indu Barma was sidelined with an injury.

Indu sustained the injury during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier and is expected to remain out of action for at least eight months.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced Puja as captain while unveiling the squad for the Asian Cup Rising Stars Tournament, scheduled to be held in Thailand from February 13 to 22.

Nepal have been placed in Group ‘A’ alongside India ‘A’, Pakistan ‘A’, and the United States.

The Nepali squad includes Puja Mahato, Bindu Rawal, Samjhana Khadka, Ruvi Paddor, Rubina Chhetri, Kabita Joshi, Kabita Kunwar, Sita Rana Magar, Riya Sharma, Suman Bista, Anu Kathayat, Manisha Upadhyay, Kajal Shrestha, and Simana KC.

This will be Nepal’s second tournament under Indian head coach Harshal Pathak. Earlier, Nepal competed in the ICC Women’s World Cup Global Qualifier but failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Nepal Squad

Puja Mahato (captain), Bindu Rawal, Samjhana Khadka, Rubi Poddar, Rubina Chhetry, Kabita Joshi, Kabita Kunwar, Sita Rana Magar, Riya Sharma, Suman Bista, Anu Kathayat, Manisha Upadhyaya, Kajal Shrestha, Simana KC.