By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Dec 23, 2025 14:30 PM • 37 views
KATHMANDU – Kathmandu is now officially on the road to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced the schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, which will take place at the TU and Mulpani Cricket Grounds from January 14 to February 1, 2026.
For Nepal, this tournament is more than just a competition. It is a clear test of how far the team has come at home. With ten nations coming to the valley, the prize is huge: a spot in the 2026 main event.
The Host’s Gauntlet
Nepal starts its campaign at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground on Sunday, January 18, with an important afternoon match against regional rivals Thailand. This game is a big draw for local fans. Thailand has often challenged Nepal in the past, so a win would give the team strong momentum for the rest of the group stage.
After the first match, the Rhinos have a tough schedule ahead that will challenge their depth and consistency:
- vs. Netherlands: Jan 22 (AM) at Mulpani
- vs. Zimbabwe: Jan 24 (PM) at TU Cricket Ground
- vs. Scotland: Jan 26 (AM) at TU Cricket Ground
Moving from Mulpani to the main TU Cricket Ground for the second half of the group stage shows that CAN hopes big home crowds will help the team during the toughest matches, especially against strong teams like Zimbabwe and Scotland.
Global Heavyweights in the Valley
The draw has set up some exciting neutral matches that should offer high-quality cricket.
The tournament begins at the TU Ground on January 18 with Zimbabwe playing the Netherlands, a matchup between two different playing styles. At the same time, top-seeded Bangladesh starts their campaign at Mulpani against the USA. Bangladesh is expected to win, but they cannot take the game for granted.
Other key matches to watch are Ireland vs. USA on January 22 and a possible Group B decider between Thailand and Scotland on January 24. The wide range of teams, from Papua New Guinea and Namibia to Ireland and Bangladesh, shows how global this qualifier is.
The Format: Survival of the Fittest
The schedule is intense, with teams playing four group games in only nine days. There are two groups of five teams each, followed by a key second phase starting January 28. The matches from January 28 to February 1 suggest a Super Six or crossover playoff format. This is where tournament endurance comes into play. The top teams from the group stages will battle it out in a rapid-fire sequence of matches, culminating on Sunday, February 1.
A Watershed Moment
Hosting such a big event shows strong confidence in Nepal’s cricket infrastructure. Using both the historic TU ground and the newer Mulpani facility highlights Nepal’s ability to organize major tournaments.
For the Nepali women’s team, the “12th woman,” or the passionate home crowd, will be a real advantage. Still, the schedule is brutal. Playing Thailand and Scotland in the group stage means they need to start strong. There is no warm-up; the pressure is on from the first ball on January 18. The road to England & Wales 2026 begins; all eyes will be on Kathmandu. For ten teams, the dream is alive, but only the most consistent will survive the high-altitude pressure of the Himalayas.
