Khanal is built as a top-order anchor rather than a pure hitter, and his best international and NPL innings back that up. He built a maiden ODI fifty by pacing a chase carefully before accelerating: in Nepal's second ODI against Canada in February 2024, he scored 76 off 81 balls, putting on a 150-run stand for the third wicket with captain Rohit Paudel to help Nepal chase down 286 and seal the series 2-0.

His NPL performances show the same template. A 53 off 48 balls against Biratnagar Kings in December 2024 came from a 102-run third-wicket stand as an opener. He bowls right-arm offbreak occasionally but is used almost entirely as a specialist batter rather than a genuine all-rounder at franchise level.

Khanal came through the Under-19 pipeline representing Lumbini Province before earning the Nepal Under-19 captaincy. He led Nepal Under-19s at the 2024 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, guiding the side into the Super Six stage — a result built partly on his own 58 off 89 balls in a one-wicket win over Afghanistan.

At provincial level, Khanal has represented Lumbini Province and Lumbini Province Under-19s. His strong domestic form, including performances in the Prime Minister Cup, helped fast-track his call-up to the senior national side.

Khanal made his ODI debut for Nepal against Papua New Guinea in Kirtipur on 25 March 2022, becoming a senior international at just 16 years old. His T20I debut came much later, against Canada in King City on 28 September 2024.

His last recorded ODI appearance was against Namibia on 21 February 2024, and his last T20I came against Oman on 2 October 2024. In March 2024, he was also named in Nepal A's squad for their series against Ireland Wolves, making his Twenty20 debut for Nepal A on 29 March 2024.

NPL 2024 (Season 1): Signed by Karnali Yaks as a Category B player. Played alongside Sompal Kami's marquee-led side, scoring a career-best 53 off 48 balls against Biratnagar Kings and winning the "Max 4s" award for the tournament. Karnali reached Qualifier 2 before losing to Janakpur Bolts.

NPL 2025 (Season 2): Moved to Chitwan Rhinos after becoming one of four Category A players to sell for the maximum bid of Rs 15 lakh in the 2025 mini-auction — in fact, he was the very first player picked in that auction.

NPL 2026 (Season 3): Retained by Chitwan Rhinos as part of the franchise's core group of seven players, alongside captain Kushal Malla, Rijan Dhakal, Arjun Saud, Ranjit Kumar, Kamal Singh Airee, and Deepak Bohara.

Dev Khanal's captaincy experience is at Under-19 level rather than franchise or senior international level. He led Nepal Under-19s to the Super Six stage of the 2024 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, including a one-wicket group-stage win over Afghanistan. He has not captained Chitwan Rhinos, Karnali Yaks, or the senior Nepal team in any format to date.

2022 — ODI debut vs Papua New Guinea, 25 March 2022, aged 16.

2024 (Jan–Feb) — Captains Nepal Under-19s to the Super Six stage of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

2024 (Feb) — Career-best ODI score, 76 off 81 balls vs Canada.

2024 (Mar) — Named in Nepal A's squad vs Ireland Wolves; makes Nepal A T20 debut on 29 March 2024.

2024 (Sep–Oct) — T20I debut vs Canada (28 September); last T20I vs Oman (2 October).

2024 (Dec) — NPL debut with Karnali Yaks; wins "Max 4s" award for the season.

2025 (Aug) — First player picked in the NPL Season 2 auction; joins Chitwan Rhinos for Rs 15 lakh.

2026 — Retained by Chitwan Rhinos as part of the core squad for NPL Season 3.