KATHMANDU: The Nepali national cricket team has arrived in Chennai after completing two practice matches in Mumbai. Ahead of the World Cup, Nepal will play two warm-up matches in Chennai, according to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
Nepal will face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their first warm-up match on Tuesday. The match will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Nepal will play their second warm-up match against Canada on Thursday, at the same venue.
Nepal will begin their World Cup campaign on February 8 against England. Nepal have been placed in Group C, which also includes two-time world champions West Indies, former champions England, Scotland and Italy.
Nepal are scheduled to play Italy on February 12, West Indies on February 15 and Scotland on February 17. Nepal will be playing England and Italy for the first time in international cricket. All of Nepal’s group-stage matches will be played in Mumbai. CAN has confirmed that all tickets for Nepal’s matches have already been sold out.
Nepal have previously featured in the World Cup in 2014 and 2024. This marks Nepal’s third appearance at the World Cup.
Nepali squad for the World Cup
Rohit Paudel (captain), Dipendra Singh Airee (vice-captain), Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sandeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahmed, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla and Lokesh Bam.
Meanwhile, Group A of the 2026 World Cup includes arch-rivals India and Pakistan alongside the United States, the Netherlands and Namibia. Group B consists of Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman, while Group D features South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and the UAE.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, which will be divided into two groups. The top two teams from each Super Eight group will qualify for the semifinals.
Nepal captain Rohit Paudel has said the team will play with the aim of delivering “100 percent results” for the country at the World Cup.
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