Gyanendra Malla (Nepali: ज्ञानेन्द्र मल्ल; born 16 September 1990) is a Nepalese former cricketer, cricket coach and politician. A right-handed batsman who occasionally kept wicket, he served as captain of the Nepal national cricket team and was among the cricketers who featured in Nepal's inaugural One Day International. After retiring from playing in 2023, he transitioned into coaching and later politics.
| Full name | Gyanendra Malla |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 September 1990 |
| Nationality | Nepalese |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Role | Batsman; occasional wicket-keeper |
| National team | Nepal (2004–2023) |
| International debut | March 2006, against Namibia |
| ODI debut | August 2018, against the Netherlands |
| Current role | Head coach, Nepal A team |
| Political affiliation | Rastriya Swatantra Party (since January 2026) |
Malla emerged from Nepal's domestic cricket structure and became a fixture in the national side from 2004 onwards. Over the course of nearly two decades, he came to be regarded as a pillar of Nepalese cricket owing to his consistency and longevity in the side.
Malla made his international debut for Nepal against Namibia in March 2006. He went on to play across multiple formats and tournaments under the auspices of the International Cricket Council's associate-level competitions.
In October 2014, during the ICC World Cricket League Division Three, Malla scored 114 off 125 balls against Singapore. With this innings he became the seventh Nepalese cricketer to score an international century.
In August 2018, Malla was part of the Nepal side that played the country's first ever One Day International, against the Netherlands. The fixture marked Nepal's elevation to ODI status and remains a milestone in the country's cricketing history.
Malla captained Nepal during a key phase of the team's growth at the international level. He retired from playing in 2023, having been an ever-present member of the national team since 2004.
Following his retirement as a player, Malla moved into coaching. He currently serves as the head coach of the Nepal A team, the second-string national side which acts as a feeder to the senior team.
In January 2026, Malla officially joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party, marking the beginning of his political journey.
Malla's career spans a transformational period for Nepalese cricket, from associate-level competitions to the country's first ODI. His century against Singapore placed him in a select group of Nepalese centurions in international cricket, and his nearly two-decade-long presence in the national side is often cited when discussing the development of the sport in Nepal.