Cricketer Paras Khadka on Sunday sought clarification from a newspaper that carried ‘a false report’ claiming his sacking as skipper of the Nepal national team on disciplinary grounds.

Khadka, who led Nepal to the maiden World Twenty20 participation in Bangladesh in 2014, said the report has put immense mental stress on himself, his family and friends. “I made contact with CAN (Cricket Association of Nepal) officials and found it to be untrue,” said Khadka, who produced a letter from CAN Acting President Deepak Koirala confirming his position as captain.

More than the report of his sacking, Khadka said he was hurt with the reason the newspaper claimed of his so-called sacking. “I have been serving the national for a long time and a false report like this will taint my image and character. I really want to know the authenticity of the report,” said Khadka.

Khadka said he will politely ask for a clarification from the concerned newspaper as to how and why the ‘false report’ was published in the first place. “I am just looking for a satisfactory clarification and not thinking of any legal course as yet,” he said. The 27-year-old allrounder is leading the national team since 2009.

“I am not concerned about the captaincy,” added Khadka. “Its up to the CAN authority to appoint a skipper. I will be fine if asked to step down anytime as captain. But I am a player and will continue to serve cricket as long as I am able to contribute to the team. But the newspaper report that falsely claimed I was sacked and more damagingly to claim on ‘disciplinary grounds’ has  tainted my decade-long image as outspoken and honest man.”