Nepal is set to participate in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Nepal has unveiled its squad for this tournament. Rohit Paudel will lead the team, showcasing not just his batting prowess but also his potential in bowling. Dipendra Singh Airee has been named the vice-captain of the team. This tournament is scheduled from February 7 to March 8.
The team includes star leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who has previously represented Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). At 25, Sandeep has taken 13 wickets in nine IPL matches for the Capitals. The squad also features stars like Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, and Sompal Kami.
In the top order, Kushal Bhurtel's aggressive batting will be crucial for a strong start for Nepal, while Asif Sheikh provides stability to the team with his wicketkeeping capabilities. Lokesh Bam strengthens the middle order with his solidity and shot-making ability. Meanwhile, Sandeep Jora and Aarif Sheikh fortify the batting lineup further.
Fast bowling duties will be handled by Sompal Kami and Karan KC. Both bring experience and have swing capabilities with the new ball. They will receive solid support from Nandan Yadav and Sher Malla, adding depth and variability to the pace attack. Nepal's performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 was disappointing, where they exited at the group stage after losing all four matches.
Nepal has been placed in Group-C for this tournament. The group also includes teams from England, Italy, West Indies, and Bangladesh. According to the schedule, Nepal will play all their league matches at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Their opening match will be against England on February 8, followed by encounters with Italy, West Indies, and Bangladesh.
Nepal's Team for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026:
Rohit Paudel (Captain), Dipendra Singh Airee (Vice-Captain), Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Asif Sheikh (Wicketkeeper), Sandeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahmed, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla, and Lokesh Bam.
The Schedule for Nepal's Group Matches:
February 8, vs England, MumbaiFebruary 12, vs Italy, MumbaiFebruary 15, vs West Indies, MumbaiFebruary 17, vs Bangladesh, Mumbai
