Nepal Expands Cricket Calendar with ICC Review, Bhutan Bilaterals
ICC officials have inspected venues for the 2027 U-19 Women's World Cup as Nepali squads prepare for international tours to Bhutan and domestic players receive honours.
Nepali cricket is experiencing a flurry of international activity as the country prepares for major global events, deepens regional ties, and honours domestic talent.
In Kathmandu, an International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation concluded an inspection of Nepal’s readiness to co-host the 2027 ICC Under-19 Women's World Cup alongside Bangladesh. Gaurav Saxena, the ICC general manager of events and operations, visited both the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground and the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Onlinekhabar reported. Saxena noted that the governing body was satisfied with the ongoing preparations and facility planning, commending the country's passionate fanbase and pledging close cooperation with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in the months ahead.
Meanwhile, Nepal and Bhutan have stepped up bilateral cricket exchanges on both men's and women's circuits. Bhutan's national men's cricket team travelled to Nepal late last month to hold an intensive training camp ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Sub-regional Qualifier 'A', Nagarik News reported. The Bhutanese squad played four 20-over warm-up fixtures at the Pokhara Cricket Ground—two against the Gandaki Province team on September 27 and 28, followed by two matches against a CAN XI on September 30 and October 1—prior to their scheduled departure for Malaysia on October 3.
Nepali teams will soon return the visit. According to schedule details released by the Bhutan Cricket Council Board and reported by Onlinekhabar, Nepal 'A' and the senior national women's team will both travel to Bhutan for the Bhutan Cricket Festival 2026–27. Nepal 'A' is set to compete in the five-nation Gelephu Men's T20 Series from December 4 to 13 against host Bhutan, Bahrain, Thailand, and the Maldives at the Gelephu International Cricket Ground. In January 2027, the Nepali women's national side will contest the four-nation Lotus Cup T20I tournament in Bhutan against the hosts, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
On the domestic front, national women's team player Manisha Upadhyay was honoured in Kathmandu for her contributions and steady performances, Onlinekhabar reported. Organisers of the upcoming Late Rama Devi Memorial Cricket Cup presented Upadhyay with professional cricket gear valued at Rs 60,000. Tournament director Raj Chhetri and technical director Rabindra Gupta, an international umpire, presented the equipment, highlighting the importance of backing players ahead of the tournament's scheduled start on October 13 in Arghakhanchi.