Nepali National Cricket Team Captain Rohit Kumar Paudel expressed confidence ahead of ICC T20 World Cup

Nepali cricket captain Rohit Kumar Paudel said the team’s preparations for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup are going well and they aim to deliver performances that will make the nation proud. The tournament will be jointly held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.

On Sunday, the Nepali team departed for Sri Lanka, where they will play three T20 matches against Sri Lanka “A” as part of their preparations. Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) President Chatur Bahadur Chand said Sri Lanka Cricket has assured that the “A” team will provide good competition. The team will spend a total of 12 days preparing in India and Sri Lanka before the World Cup.

Paudel mentioned that despite a short break after the Nepal Premier League, the team’s preparation has been smooth. This will be Nepal’s third T20 World Cup, and the players are excited. He noted that in the previous World Cup held in the USA and West Indies, batting was challenging due to difficult pitch conditions, but this time they have prepared for high-scoring wickets in Wankhede.

The team will play all four of its World Cup matches at Wankhede Stadium and will also play two practice matches at Barabourne Cricket Stadium nearby to adjust to conditions. Head coach Stuart Law emphasized that these preparations will position the team well for the tournament.

During the farewell event organized by CAN on Saturday, Nepali Congress leader Dr. Sunil Sharma handed over the pre-announced prize of NPR 2 million to the team for their T20 series victory against West Indies and reiterated that a similar reward will be given if Nepal reaches the Super 8 stage in the World Cup. Dr. Sharma also highlighted ongoing arrangements for free medical care for players and their families and called on the government to provide pensions to players after retirement.

CAN Secretary and former captain Paras Khadka expressed that the nation has high hopes from the team and that their conduct and performance at the World Cup will leave a global impression. Nepal is placed in Group C alongside England, Italy, West Indies, and Bangladesh.