Ian Harvey appointed Nepal’s bowling consultant ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Former Australia seamer Ian Harvey has been appointed Nepal men's bowling consultant coach as part of the team's preparations for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Harvey will work alongside fellow Australian Stuart Law, who is currently serving as Nepal's head coach. 

The 53-year-old brings vast international and coaching experience, having previously coached Gloucestershire, a county he also represented as an overseas professional during his playing career.

A former Australia international, Harvey featured in 73 One-Day Internationals, claiming 85 wickets and scoring 715 runs. He was a member of the Australian squad that lifted the 2003 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

Renowned as a skilful T20 all-rounder, Harvey built his reputation on clever variations with the ball — including yorkers and an array of slower deliveries — along with powerful lower-order hitting.

In the shortest format, Harvey played 54 T20 matches, taking 52 wickets and scoring 1,470 runs.

He created history in 2003 by becoming the first player to score a century in England's inaugural Twenty20 Cup. Four years later, he was named Player of the Tournament in the first edition of the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Meanwhile, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced Nepal's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup on January 6.

Experienced batting all-rounder Rohit Paudel will captain the side in the 20-team tournament, with Dipendra Singh Airee named vice-captain.

Nepal's spin attack will be led by Sandeep Lamichhane, supported by left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi, while Dipendra and Basir Ahamad provide additional spin options.

The squad features several all-rounders, including Gulshan Jha, Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami, adding depth and balance to the side.

The batting line-up will be spearheaded by Kushal Bhurtel at the top, with Aasif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Sundeep Jora and Nandan Yadav strengthening the middle and lower order.

In the pace department, Sompal Kami and Karan KC will lead the attack, with support from Nandan Yadav and Sher Malla.

Nepal, placed in Group C, will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 8 against two-time champions England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The venue will also host Nepal's remaining group-stage matches against Italy, West Indies and Bangladesh on February 12, 15 and 17, respectively.

The 2026 edition will mark Nepal's second appearance at the Men's T20 World Cup, following their tournament debut at the 2024 event, which was co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States.

Nepal squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee (vc), 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.