Nepal had been reinstated on a conditional basis, following their 2016 suspension for breach of the ICC regulations, which prohibit government interference and require free and fair elections. While the move could result in great future prospects for Nepal, opening up avenues for funding, it also brought about a surprise call from Khadka, 31, who made his decision public via social media on Tuesday, 15 October.

The all-rounder had lead Nepal to their first-ever ODI series win, against UAE in January this year, and had also become his country's first ODI century-maker in the process. In September, he scored an unbeaten 106 in a tri-series game against Singapore, registering Nepal's first individual hundred in the format.

Khadka has an even record as ODI captain, winning three games out of six from August 2018 to January 2019. His captaincy stint in T20Is had begun at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2014. Thereafter, he led his team to 11 wins from 26 completed games, up until the recent pentangular series in Oman, where they finished third, securing two wins out in four matches.