Nepal playing first T20 against Ireland ‘A’ today

KATHMANDU: The Nepali national cricket team is playing its first of two-match unofficial T20I series against Ireland ‘A’ at the TU International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

The match will begin at 1 pm.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a 15-member squad led by captain Rohit Kumar Paudel for the series.

Alongside Rohit, the team includes Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Anil Sah, Gulsan Kumar Jha, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, and Sompal Kami. The squad also features Karan KC, Prem Tamang, Avinash Bohara, Akash Chand, Sandeep Jora and Bibek Yadav.

After playing the series against Ireland ‘A’, the senior team will travel to India to play four T20 matches against Baroda and Gujarat teams of India.

Nepal is playing these T20 series as part of its preparations for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be jointly hosted by the US and West Indies in June.

Meanwhile, Ireland ‘A’ will play three-match T20 series and three three-match one day series against Nepal ‘A’.

CAN has already announced the Nepal ‘A’ squad under the leadership of Binod Bhandari for the series.

Nepal A T20 Squad:

Binod Bhandari (c), Lokesh Bam, Dev Khanal, Pawan Sarraf, Kiran Thagunna, Aarif Sheikh, Arjun Gharti, Narayn Joshi, Basir Ahamad, Rashid Khan, Sagar Dhakal, Bipin Khatri, Bikash Aagri, Hemant Dhami, Kamal Singh Airee

Nepal A OD Squad:

Binod Bhandari (c), Dev Khanal, Aarif Sheikh, Arjun Kumal, Naren Bhatta, Bhim Sharki, Arjun Saud, Kamal Singh Airee, Basir Ahamad, Shahab Alam, Ranjit Kumar, Rupesh Singh, Rijan Dhakal, Bikash Aagri, Mausam Dhakal

Ireland ‘A’ Tour of Nepal:

March 25 – vs Nepal (T20)
March 26 – vs Nepal (T20)
March 28 – vs Nepal A (T20)
March 29 – vs Nepal A (T20)
March 31 – vs Nepal A (T20)
April 3 – vs Nepal A (OD)
April 5 – vs Nepal A (OD)
April 7 – vs Nepal A (OD)