Nepal secure a spot in T20 WC 2026; Their road to the big-ticket event

Nepal qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 — here’s a look at their inspiring journey to the global stage.

Nepal have confirmed their place in the 2026 T20 World Cup which is to be held in India and Sri Lanka. They achieved the feat even before their last Super Six meeting against Oman in the Asia-EAP Qualifier 2025 in Al Amerat. When the United Arab Emirates (UAE) thumped Samoa by 77 runs, both Nepal and Oman were assured of the T20 World Cup spots.

The Rohit Paudel-led side is at the top of the points table with four victories in as many encounters in the qualifying round. UAE’s victory against Japan confirmed their qualification for the next year’s World Cup.

Nepal featured in the last T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America. They faced heartbreak against South Africa, suffering a one-run defeat that eliminated them before the Super 8 stage. But, they will again go for glory in the new edition in familiar sub-continental conditions.

Nepal’s road to T20 World Cup 2026 qualification
Just a week before the start of the qualification round, Nepal hosted the West Indies for a three-match T20I series in Sharjah. It was not only great preparation for the associate nation, but also a confidence booster following the 2-1 series victory.

In the opening clash, they restricted the two-time T20 champions to 129/9 to earn a 19-run victory. They continued the same dominance two days later by bundling out the visitors for 83 runs during their 173-run defense.  

Nepal met Kuwait in their very first game of the qualifier. Thanks to Kushal Bhurtel’s fine knock of 66 runs in 56 balls, Paudel’s army posted 141/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Only three Kuwait batters reached double-figures as they were bundled out for just 83 to lose the game by 58 runs.

The focus shifted to Nepal’s second clash against Japan, who batted first to record 131/8 in their 20 overs. Opening batter and captain, Kandel Kadowaki-Fleming contributed with 60 runs in 46 balls, thanks to five boundaries and three sixes. But none of the other batters could cross the 35-run mark in the first innings. In reply, Aasif Sheikh’s 38 in 21 balls pushed Nepal to a five-wicket win.

Nepal’s first close game of the event came against Qatar. Their captain smashed a fine knock of 58 runs in 42 balls, shouldering on seven boundaries and one six. Gulsan Kumar Jha and Sompal Kami’s pinch-hitting carried them to 147/9. Both Qatar openers, Imal Liyanage and Zubair Ali, celebrated their respective half-centuries. But Sandeep Lamichhane’s 5/18 in 3.5 overs helped Nepal to a five-run win.

Their last game so far in the competition came against Oman. Bhurtel again cracked a fine knock of 69 runs in 51 balls at a strike rate of 135.29 to lay the platform. They finished with 151/9 in the first innings. However, none of the opposition batters was able to offer any fight apart from Vinayak Shukla’s 32 runs in 19 balls. As a result, Nepal earned their fourth successive win by 38 runs.

Read More: Nepal secure first victory against a Full Member; beat WI by 19 runs in a T20I

Architects of Nepal rise in T20I format
Bhurtel is Nepal’s leading run-getter of the Asia-EAP Qualifier 2025. The right-handed opening batter scored 190 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 117.28 with two half-centuries. Sheikh has also got 126 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 117.75 in this tournament.

In the bowling department, Lamichhane is the joint-second highest wicket-taker of the event. The leg-spinner has picked 11 wickets in five innings at an economy rate of under six. He has also maintained an outstanding average and strike rate under 11.

Gulsan Jha has also contributed to their success during this competition. The 19-year-old medium pacer has bagged six wickets in four innings at an economy rate of 6.30. Nandan Yadav has also collected six wickets at an average of under 18 and an economy rate of 6.62.

Earlier in the year, the former Australia batter, Stuart Law, replaced Monty Desai to become Nepal men’s head coach for two years. He brought calmness among the players and encouraged them to play smart cricket. In his presence, the players have also started to invest in timing and technique to score runs rather than just relying on power hitting.

Lamichhane, at 25, has already played the Indian Premier League (IPL), The Hundred, The Big Bash League (BBL), the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and other franchise events. The experience has helped the spinner a lot in different skill sets. It will be important for other players to develop themselves to be a part of these leagues.

It was the same case with Afghanistan a few years ago. Rashid Khan came to the IPL and played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. By the time he returned to the national side, he was a better version of himself. Slowly, other members of the side also started to get chances in the league to enhance their performance in the two white-ball formats.

Nepal will hope to display a strong performance in India and Sri Lanka during the World Cup. Their first aim will be to qualify for the Super 8 stage. If they can do so, then it will make a massive difference in their cricketing history.

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