Nepal cricket’s journey has often been defined by its search for a consistent opening pair. Across 168 international matches, spanning ODIs and T20Is, Nepal has experimented with as many as 23 different opening combinations. The 2021 Tri-Nation Series featuring Nepal, Malaysia, and the Netherlands seemed to provide a long-awaited answer in the form of Asif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel. Both openers made their debuts in the series and showcased their potential immediately.
However, this year has presented a challenge for Bhurtel, who has struggled to find runs. As a result, Nepal has tested new options, and a familiar name has stepped up, Anil Sah. Since September, Sah has cemented his place at the top alongside Asif Sheikh, filling the void left by Bhurtel. In the seven T20Is and four ODIs that Nepal has played since Sah’s arrival at the top, the duo has already registered a fifty-run partnership in each format, signs of promise for the future.
For Sah, this comeback marks a remarkable journey filled with determination, family sacrifices, and a refusal to give up on his dreams.
From Kalaiya to Lords: Early Days of Promise
Born in Kalaiya, Anil Sah emerged as one of Nepal’s brightest young talents. He made his international debut in both formats against the Netherlands in 2018. His T20I debut took place in July that year at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, a game washed out by rain. Days later, he was part of Nepal’s historic ODI debut at Amstelveen, where he opened the innings alongside former captain Gyanendra Malla. Sah made a patient 21 runs from 32 deliveries and contributed to a fifty-run opening partnership.
While his on-field journey began to take shape, life off the field was anything but easy. Being the eldest son in the family, Sah faced resistance from his parents, who wished for him to pursue a more traditional career, doctor or engineer. Cricket was not seen as a viable option. A young Anil, inspired by his idol MS Dhoni, once asked his father for a Dhoni jersey. When denied, Sah’s determination shone through, he grabbed a marker and wrote “Dhoni” on the back of his T-shirt.
The turning point in his family’s outlook came later. Recognizing Anil’s potential, his family gradually became the backbone of his cricketing dreams. His brothers, equally passionate about the sport, sacrificed their own aspirations to let Anil pursue his. Two of them are now working abroad to support him. The emotional farewell at the airport still weighs on Sah, who believes they “play alongside him” every time he steps on the field. His grandmother, too, was a constant supporter and dreamt of watching him play on TV, a dream Sah proudly fulfilled.
Struggles, Sacrifices, and the Pursuit of Cricket
Sah’s cricketing story began with a spark of fielding brilliance. Selected for his school team primarily as a fielder, he showcased exceptional energy and fearlessness on the field. At the time, he bowled medium pace with a tennis ball and had limited success with the bat. However, his school coach spotted the hidden potential in the youngster, who would save runs no matter what.
After finishing school, Sah’s father and uncle sent him to another district for higher studies, hoping to steer him away from cricket. Unfazed, Sah strategically found a room near a cricket ground and spent every free moment honing his skills. His love for the sport even saw him skip his 12th-grade exams to play a match in Kolkata. The cricketing atmosphere in India only added fuel to his fire and ultimately led him to leave academics behind in favour of cricket.
His performances earned him a spot in Nepal’s Under-19 side which beat India Under-19 in the 2017 Asia Cup, where he shared the dressing room with future stars Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Bhim Sharki. Sah’s breakthrough moment came against Afghanistan U19, where he impressed with a composed half-century. This performance paved the way for his senior team call-up in 2018 for a series against UAE, though he didn’t feature in the playing XI.
The Fall and Rise: Redemption Through Prime Minister’s Cup
Post-debut, Sah’s career took a dip. Despite flashes of brilliance in Nepal’s franchise leagues, he struggled for consistency, resulting in his exclusion from the national side. This period of uncertainty tested Sah both mentally and emotionally. As the eldest son, he carried the added responsibility of supporting his family. The burden was eased by his brothers, who stepped up to allow Sah to focus solely on cricket.
Sah’s path to redemption began in the 2024 Prime Minister’s Cup, where he emerged as the leading run-scorer with 386 runs in nine innings for Madhesh Province. His consistency and hunger were evident throughout the tournament. Over the years, Sah has amassed 1014 runs in the competition from 36 innings, making him the second-highest run-getter in PM Cup history. He also became one of just three batters to cross the 1000-run mark in the tournament’s history.
This stellar form earned him a long-awaited national recall after 686 days for the home series against Canada. Sah announced his return in style, scoring the fastest ODI fifty for Nepal off just 19 balls in the second match. He followed it up with a career-defining unbeaten 112 in the third ODI, where he partnered with Bhim Sharki to add a record 189-run stand, the highest for any wicket in Nepal’s ODI history. Nepal swept the series 3-0, and Sah’s comeback was complete.
On the Global Stage and a Leadership Role
Sah’s consistency earned him a place in Nepal’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, hosted in the USA and West Indies. Though Nepal’s campaign was challenging, Sah delivered crucial contributions, including a 27-run knock against South Africa.
Currently, Sah is leading Janakpur Bolts in the Nepal Premier League, a testament to his leadership skills. He is the only non-marquee player to captain a team, and under his leadership, Janakpur Bolts have secured a spot in the playoffs. Individually, Sah has scored 132 runs in seven innings and made 12 catches, including a record-setting five-catch against Kathmandu Gurkhas, the most by any fielder in a T20 match in Nepal.
A Story Still Unfolding
Anil Sah’s journey is more than just cricket, it is a story of perseverance, familial sacrifice, and undying passion for the game. From being a promising teenager to facing setbacks and rising again, Sah has proved his talent time and again. His performance at the top of the order and leadership responsibilities marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, one that could define Nepal’s future in cricket.
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