Nepal hosting Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier from Jan 18

KATHMANDU: Nepal is hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Kathmandu from January 18 to February 3.

This will be the highest-level event in women’s cricket that Nepal is hosting and will determine the final teams for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

A total of 10 teams, divided into two groups, will compete in the global qualifier, Nepal are placed in Group B alongside strong opponents the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Thailand and Scotland. Group A features Bangladesh, Ireland, Namibia, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and the United States.

Nepal will begin their campaign against Thailand on January 18, followed by matches against the Netherlands on January 22, Zimbabwe on January 24, and Scotland on January 26. Ahead of the tournament, Nepal will also play practice matches against Ireland and the United States as part of their preparations.

According to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), matches will be held at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur and two grounds in Mulpani.

CAN has appointed Hershal Pathak as the Head Coach of the national women’s team for the global qualifier.

The Nepali team is currently training in Mulpani, with a provisional squad that includes players such as Indu Barma, Rubina Chhetri, Sita Rana Magar, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Kunwar, Roma Thapa, Rajmati Airee, Manisha Upadhyay, and Pooja Mahato, among others.

Bangladesh and Scotland secured their spots in the global qualifier through their standings in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. The remaining teams qualified via regional qualifiers: Nepal and Thailand from Asia, the USA from the Americas, Ireland and the Netherlands from Europe, Namibia and Zimbabwe from Africa, and PNG from East Asia-Pacific.

In the group stage, teams will play each other once. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six, from which the top four teams will qualify for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to be hosted jointly by England and Wales.