🇳🇵 Nepal Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Full Team List & Key Players
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026, will see Nepal take on the world’s best in its second major ICC T20 appearance. Known for their passionate fan base and exciting brand of cricket, Nepal returns to the grand stage under the leadership of Rohit Paudel, aiming to make a strong impression in subcontinental conditions similar to home.
The team’s blend of youth, experience, and dynamic all-round options makes them one of the most watchable sides among the emerging nations.
🇳🇵 Nepal Likely Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
| No. | Player Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Paudel (C) | Captain / Batting All-Rounder |
| 2 | Dipendra Singh Airee (VC) | Middle-Order Batter |
| 3 | Aarif Sheikh | Top-Order Batter |
| 4 | Aasif Sheikh (†) | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| 5 | Kushal Bhurtel | Opening Batter |
| 6 | Sundeep Jora | Middle-Order Batter |
| 7 | Lokesh Bam | Middle-Order Batter |
| 8 | Gulsan Jha | All-Rounder |
| 9 | Karan KC | All-Rounder |
| 10 | Kushal Malla | Batting All-Rounder |
| 11 | Sompal Kami | Bowling All-Rounder |
| 12 | Sandeep Lamichhane | Bowler |
| 13 | Mohammad Aadil Alam | Bowler |
| 14 | Lalit Rajbanshi | Bowler |
| 15 | Nandan Yadav | Bowler |
Final 15-man squad to be officially confirmed by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) before the tournament.
Leadership & Team Management
Captain: Rohit Paudel
Vice Captain: Dipendra Singh Airee
Head Coach: Monty Desai (expected)
Under Paudel’s captaincy, Nepal has become a more composed and confident unit. With young talents like Gulsan Jha and Kushal Malla supporting senior pros such as Karan KC and Sompal Kami, the side looks capable of producing big results.
Nepal’s Group – ICC Men’s T20 WC 2026
| Team | Qualification Path |
|---|---|
| England 🏴 | Top 7 finish – T20 World Cup 2024 |
| West Indies 🌴 | Top 7 finish – T20 World Cup 2024 |
| Bangladesh 🇧🇩 | Top 7 finish – T20 World Cup 2024 |
| Nepal 🇳🇵 | Asia/East Asia-Pacific Qualifier |
| Italy 🇮🇹 | Europe Qualifier |
Nepal Group Stage Matches – T20 WC 2026
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (LOCAL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Feb 8 2026 | Nepal vs England | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 3:00 PM |
| Thu, Feb 12 2026 | Nepal vs Italy | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 3:00 PM |
| Sun, Feb 15 2026 | Nepal vs West Indies | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 11:00 AM |
| Tue, Feb 17 2026 | Nepal vs Bangladesh | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
Predicted Playing XI
| Position | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kushal Bhurtel | Opening Batter |
| 2 | Aasif Sheikh (†) | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| 3 | Rohit Paudel (C) | Batting All-Rounder |
| 4 | Dipendra Singh Airee (VC) | Batter / Off-Spin All-Rounder |
| 5 | Kushal Malla | Left-Hand All-Rounder |
| 6 | Gulsan Jha | All-Rounder |
| 7 | Sompal Kami | Bowling All-Rounder |
| 8 | Karan KC | Fast Bowler |
| 9 | Sandeep Lamichhane | Leg-Spinner |
| 10 | Lalit Rajbanshi | Left-Arm Spinner |
| 11 | Mohammad Aadil Alam | Medium Pacer |
Bench Strength: Lokesh Bam, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Nandan Yadav
Team Strengths & Key Analysis
- Spin Dominance: Lamichhane and Rajbanshi form a lethal spin duo on turning subcontinental tracks.
- Explosive All-Rounders: Airee, Malla, and Jha provide balance with both bat and ball.
- Youth Energy + Experience: Veterans like Karan KC and Kami add depth to a young core.
- Strong Middle Order: Paudel and Airee steady the innings under pressure.
- Improved Fielding: Nepal’s fielding and fitness levels continue to rise year-on-year.
Nepal’s Road to the 2026 T20 World Cup
Nepal qualified through the Asia & East Asia-Pacific Qualifiers, defeating UAE and Oman in a competitive campaign. Their qualification was a historic milestone, reaffirming Nepal’s growth as a promising cricketing nation.
Final Word
Nepal’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad combines passion, skill, and fearless cricket. With Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee leading from the front, and Sandeep Lamichhane’s world-class spin, Nepal could deliver surprise upsets and earn global respect in 2026.