Honestly, if you haven't stood on the grass at Kirtipur while 15,000 people scream themselves hoarse, you haven't actually experienced the cricket team of nepal. It’s not just a sport there. It's a national mood ring. When they win, the air in Kathmandu feels lighter. When they lose, it’s like a collective heartbreak you can feel in the tea shops from Pokhara to Biratnagar.
Most casual fans think Nepal is just another "Associate" team happy to be at the party. That's mistake number one. They aren't just participants anymore. They’re becoming a problem for the big guys.
The 2026 Reality Check
We’re sitting in early 2026, and the landscape has shifted. The team is currently gearing up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, which kicks off this February. It’s a massive moment. Nepal is in Group C, and they’ve got a date with England on February 8 at the Wankhede Stadium. Imagine that. From the foothills of the Himalayas to the bright lights of Mumbai.
The squad, led by Rohit Paudel, is currently doing a two-phase prep tour. They’ve been playing the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team and are heading to Mumbai to face the MCA President’s XI. This isn't just "practice." It's survival training.
Why the Cricket Team of Nepal is Actually Dangerous
You’ve probably heard of Sandeep Lamichhane. The guy is a leg-spin wizard with stats that look like a video game. 135 ODI wickets at an average under 20? That’s nuts. But if you think he’s the only threat, you’re not paying attention.
Take Dipendra Singh Airee. The "Tiger."
He holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty—nine balls. Nine. You can't even make a cup of instant noodles in that time. He’s the backbone of the middle order and a genuine three-dimensional player. Then you’ve got Kushal Bhurtel at the top. When he’s on, he’s basically a human highlight reel.
But it’s the young blood that’s actually scary.
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- Gulshan Jha: Only 19 but plays like he’s been there for a decade.
- Kushal Malla: Holds the record for the fastest T20I century (34 balls).
- Dev Khanal: A technical beast who’s been crushing it in the U19s and now knocking on the door of the senior side.
The "Fortress" Dilemma
There’s a bit of drama happening with the home ground right now. The TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur is the heartbeat of the fans, but the lease agreement with Tribhuvan University is expiring in April 2026. There’s a lot of talk about whether it stays or goes.
The government recently approved a massive 10 billion rupee master plan to turn it into a world-class facility, but construction is a slow burn. In the meantime, the Mulpani Ground is being pushed as the alternative. It’s kinda messy, but the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is hustling to get ownership of Lower Mulpani to build a proper stadium with floodlights.
What Most People Miss
People love to talk about the "passion" of the fans—and yeah, seeing people climb trees to watch a match is iconic—but they miss the tactical evolution. Under coaches like Monty Desai and now Stuart Law, the team has moved away from "brave' cricket to "smart" cricket.
They aren't just swinging for the fences. They’re studying match-ups. They’re using data. Law recently said in an interview that they aren't going to the World Cup to "participate"—they’re going to compete. He’s been pushing them on fitness and diet, trying to bridge that gap between Associate and Full Member professionalism.
The Road Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
The schedule for the rest of the year is packed. After the World Cup, they’ve got ICC CWC League 2 fixtures against Oman and the UAE in March. Then there’s the Nepal Premier League (NPL) which has become a monster of its own. The last season saw Rohit Paudel top the charts with 555 runs, proving the domestic circuit is finally producing the heat needed to sustain the national team.
Actionable Insights for Following the Rhinos:
- Watch the Mumbai Prep: Keep an eye on the scores from the MCA President’s XI matches in late January. It’ll tell you exactly how the batters are handling the bounce and turn of Indian pitches before the World Cup.
- Keep Tabs on the Spin Twins: While Sandeep gets the headlines, Lalit Rajbanshi is the one who अक्सर (often) chokes the runs at the other end. Their partnership is the key to Nepal pulling off an upset against England or the West Indies.
- Support the NPL: If you want to see the next generation, watch the Nepal Premier League highlights. That’s where players like Sher Malla and Hemant Dhami are proving they belong on the big stage.
The cricket team of nepal is no longer a feel-good story about an underdog. They are a rising force with a world-class spin attack and some of the most explosive hitters in the shortest format. Whether the infrastructure catches up to the talent remains to be seen, but on the field? They're ready to break some hearts in 2026.