KATHMANDU: Nepali cricket’s remarkable consistency and growth have caught the eye of the global cricketing world. Their fearless showing in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they challenged powerhouses like South Africa, and their first-ever matches against India and Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup, signaled that Nepal’s rise in international cricket is no longer a surprise.
That upward trajectory continued with a 2–1 series victory over the West Indies in the Unity Cup, a result that injected new confidence into the Nepali camp ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers. The series showcased impressive bowling and fielding, though questions lingered about squad depth and bench strength.
A commanding start to the qualifiers
Nepal’s dream run rolled on as they began the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers with a commanding 58-run win over Kuwait. Their trademark fielding and disciplined bowling once again defined the game. Opener Kushal Bhurtel anchored the innings with composure before Gulshan Jha’s late fireworks lifted Nepal to a competitive 141.
Despite a modest total, Nepal’s bowlers, led by Sandeep Lamichhane, Rohit Paudel, and Lalit Rajbanshi, each taking two wickets, restricted Kuwait to just 83. Dipendra Singh Airee’s sharp fielding and game sense helped dismiss set batters, sealing a dominant win. Bhurtel earned Man of the Match, while Jha’s all-round performance stood out.
In their second match, against Japan, Nepal were firm favorites. However, after an early wicket, Japan’s Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Esham Rahman built an 86-run stand, threatening an upset. Once Fleming (60) departed, Nepal’s bowlers regained control. Jha starred again, claiming two crucial wickets, while Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, and Nandan Yadav each chipped in to restrict Japan to 131.
The chase, however, exposed Nepal’s batting fragility. Openers Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh failed to convert starts, and the middle order stumbled again as Sundeep Jora, Kushal Malla, and Paudel departed cheaply. Airee and Jha steadied the innings, with Jha’s composed 28 off 20 guiding Nepal to victory and the top of the group. Jha was again named Man of the Match for his all-round excellence.
Nerve and resilience in the Super Six
Advancing to the Super Six, Nepal faced their arch-rivals UAE, often dubbed the El Clasico of Associate Cricket. Memories of their nail-biting 2024 qualifier win added intensity to the clash. Opting to bat first, Nepal started solidly with a half-century opening stand. After Bhurtel’s dismissal, Sheikh reached a patient fifty, but Paudel’s inability to convert starts hurt momentum. A late cameo from Jha (14 off 5) pushed Nepal to 141, below par given their start.
UAE’s chase began shakily as captain Muhammad Waseem fell early, but Alishan Sharafu and Jonathan Figy revived hopes with an 81-run stand. Airee turned the tide with his breakthrough spells, dismissing both set batters. Lamichhane’s dismissal of Basil Hameed further dented UAE’s middle order. Despite a late fightback from Dhruv Parashar, Airee’s composure in the final over, nailing yorkers and claiming the decisive wicket, secured Nepal a thrilling 1-run victory. Airee was named Man of the Match for his clutch bowling.
Riding high on momentum, Nepal next met Qatar. Batting first, early wickets once again tested their depth. Captain Paudel, searching for form, led from the front with a vital 58 off 41, supported by Airee’s composed knock and a late burst from Jha and Sompal Kami, lifting Nepal to 147.
Qatar’s openers responded strongly with a 79-run partnership, but Lamichhane’s dismissal of Imaal Liyanage turned the tide. Yadav’s twin strikes and Lamichhane’s second career five-wicket haul dismantled the opposition. Sharp fielding and crucial run-outs sealed a narrow 5-run victory for Nepal in yet another low-scoring thriller.
Nepal’s next challenge came against hosts Oman, who posed a threat with home advantage. Batting first, Nepal reached 61 before Sheikh fell, but another middle-order collapse followed. Apart from Bhurtel’s steady hand, most batters struggled, and the experiment of promoting Lokesh Bam failed as he fell for a duck. Despite that, Nepal reached a modest 151, thanks to Bhurtel’s grit.
In response, Oman’s batting faltered early as pacers tore through their lineup. The early dismissal of captain Jatinder Singh set the tone, and only Vinayak Shukla and Mohammad Nadeem offered brief resistance. Nepal’s in-form attack restricted Oman to 113 for 9, earning a 38-run win. Bhurtel was named Man of the Match, while Jha’s consistent all-round performance continued to impress.
Having already sealed qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Nepal entered their final Super Six match against Samoa with less pressure but high motivation to finish unbeaten. Batting first, Nepal piled up a mammoth 211, led by Aasif Sheikh’s elegant half-century. Aarif Sheikh’s return proved ineffective, but Airee and Aasif guided the innings before a late onslaught from Lokesh Bam, 39 off just 12 balls, gave Nepal a commanding total.
Samoa never stood a chance in the chase. Except for opener Sean Solia’s 40, no other batter reached double digits. Lalit Rajbanshi dismantled the lineup with three wickets in an economical spell, and Nepal’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding restricted Samoa to 87, sealing a 124-run win to close an undefeated campaign.
Unbeaten glory and the road ahead
By the end of the tournament, Nepal had achieved multiple milestones: finishing as undefeated champions, qualifying for back-to-back T20 World Cups, and setting new personal and team records. Dipendra Singh Airee’s remarkable streak of run-outs across five consecutive matches, Lamichhane’s five-wicket haul, and Jha’s consistent all-round brilliance defined their campaign. Their sharp fielding, strategic bowling, and fearless attitude reflected a maturing cricketing nation making its mark on the global stage.
However, challenges remain, particularly in batting consistency. The qualifiers exposed Nepal’s heavy reliance on finishers like Gulshan Jha and Dipendra Singh Airee, along with frequent middle-order collapses. Questions remain regarding the positioning and roles of batters such as Lokesh Bam and Mohammad Aadil Alam, while Kushal Malla continues to struggle against spin. Captain Rohit Paudel’s inability to convert starts into impactful innings also remains a concern. Addressing these issues will be crucial as Nepal steps onto the grander stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Still, with their current blend of youth, energy, and belief, Nepal’s cricketing story is one of resilience and rising promise, a small nation turning into one of the most exciting prospects in world cricket.
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