Nepal announce squad for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

KATHMANDU: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Tuesday announced the 15-member squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

Experienced batting all-rounder Rohit Paudel will lead the emerging Asian side in the 20-team tournament, while fellow all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee will serve as his deputy.

Sandeep Lamichhane will lead Nepal's spin-bowling attack, also featuring left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi, while Dipendra and Basir Ahamad set to offer additional options in the department.

The squad is stacked with all-rounders, with Gulshan Jha, Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami accompanying captain Paudel and his deputy Airee.

Nepal's batting unit for the upcoming mega event includes Kushal Bhurtel up the order, while Aasif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Sundeep Jora and Nandan Yadav add depth well beyond the top six.

Sompal Kami and Karan KC will jointly spearhead Nepal's pace bowling attack and will be supported by Nandan Yadav and Sher Malla.

For the unversed, Nepal, slotted in Group C, will start their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 8 by taking on two-time champions England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, which will also host their remaining three group-stage fixtures against Italy, West Indies and Bangladesh on February 12, 15 and 17, respectively.

The upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup will mark Nepal's second appearance, with their maiden coming at the 2024 mega event, co-hosted by West Indies and United States of America (USA).

Nepal failed to make their maiden appearance memorable as they suffered a group-stage exit after failing to win each of their four fixtures.

Nepal squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla and Lokesh Bam.