By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Dec 22, 2025 06:31 AM • 27 views
KATHMANDU – The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has started its final preparations for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by announcing a 24-player preliminary squad. The group mixes experienced international players with top performers from the domestic league.
The tournament will begin in India and Sri Lanka on February 7, 2026. Nepal’s selectors have chosen a "retention plus reward" approach, keeping the main group that beat the West Indies 2-1 earlier this year and adding eight standout players from the recent Nepal Premier League (NPL).
Continuity Meets Form
The headline from the announcement is the preservation of the 16-man unit that stunned the West Indies in September and October. This decision underscores a maturity in Nepal's selection philosophy: prioritizing unit cohesion and rewarding the group that has already proven it can punch up against heavyweights.
Key pillars of the side—including skipper Rohit Paudel, dynamic all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, and spin spearhead Sandeep Lamichhane—remain the first names on the team sheet. Their unbeaten run at the Asia-Pacific Regional Final in Oman, which secured this World Cup berth, has clearly put them in good standing with the bank.
Still, the squad is open to new talent. The NPL has helped eight players earn a chance with the national team. Notable names include Binod Bhandari and Abinash Bohara, who impressed in domestic matches. Sher Malla and Basir Ahamad also join, giving coaches more options for the spin-friendly pitches expected in the sub-continent.
The "Group of Death" Awaits
This training camp is especially important because Nepal is in a tough Group C. They will face strong teams like England and the West Indies, as well as Bangladesh and Italy.
To succeed in this group, Nepal will need more than determination. They will need to be flexible with their tactics. Adding players like Bhim Sharki and Ishan Pandey shows the team wants more batting depth to face fast bowlers. Bringing back experienced players like Sompal Kami and Karan KC gives the bowling attack strong leaders.
The Cut to Fifteen
The 24 players will now join a high-intensity training camp, where the group will be reduced to the final 15-man squad required by the ICC. Since co-hosts India have already announced their team, Nepal must decide on their final lineup soon.
This will be Nepal’s second T20 World Cup in a row and their third overall. The team’s outlook has changed. After beating the West Indies and dominating in qualifying, Nepal is now aiming to make a real impact at the World Cup.
Analyst’s Take: This squad is designed to compete, not just take part. The selectors understand that conditions in India and Sri Lanka will favor spin and technical skills. By mixing top NPL performers with the core group that beat the West Indies, Nepal is building strong competition within the team. Choosing the final 15 will be tough, but it shows how far Nepal has come in world cricket.
