🇳🇵 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 mark Nepal’s second appearance on cricket’s biggest T20 stage. Riding on steady growth and a settled core, Nepal arrive with renewed confidence and a squad that blends youthful energy with valuable international experience.
Led by Rohit Paudel, Nepal will be eager to put their disappointing 2024 campaign behind them and showcase a more competitive brand of cricket in familiar subcontinental conditions.
🇳🇵 Nepal Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
| No. | Player Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Paudel (C) | Middle-order Batter / All-rounder |
| 2 | Dipendra Singh Airee (VC) | Batting All-rounder |
| 3 | Sandeep Lamichhane | Leg-spinner |
| 4 | Kushal Bhurtel | Opening Batter |
| 5 | Aasif Sheikh (†) | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| 6 | Sundeep Jora | Middle-order Batter |
| 7 | Aarif Sheikh | Top-order Batter |
| 8 | Basir Ahamad | Batting All-rounder |
| 9 | Sompal Kami | Bowling All-rounder |
| 10 | Karan KC | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Nandan Yadav | Fast Bowler |
| 12 | Gulshan Jha | All-rounder |
| 13 | Lalit Rajbanshi | Left-arm Spinner |
| 14 | Sher Malla | Fast Bowler |
| 15 | Lokesh Bam | Middle-order Batter |
Squad officially announced by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
Leadership & Team Management
- Captain: Rohit Paudel
- Vice-Captain: Dipendra Singh Airee
- Head Coach: Monty Desai
Under Paudel’s calm leadership, Nepal have evolved into a more tactically aware and composed side. The presence of experienced campaigners like Dipendra, Sompal Kami and Karan KC alongside emerging talents such as Gulshan Jha and Basir Ahamad gives the team balance across departments.
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 – Nepal | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
| No. | Player Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kushal Bhurtel | Opening Batter |
| 2 | Aasif Sheikh (†) | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| 3 | Rohit Paudel (C) | Middle-order Batter / All-rounder |
| 4 | Dipendra Singh Airee (VC) | Batting All-rounder |
| 5 | Sundeep Jora | Middle-order Batter |
| 6 | Gulshan Jha | All-rounder |
| 7 | Basir Ahamad | Batting All-rounder |
| 8 | Sompal Kami | Bowling All-rounder |
| 9 | Karan KC | Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Sandeep Lamichhane | Leg-spinner |
| 11 | Lalit Rajbanshi | Left-arm Spinner |
Bench Strength: Lokesh Bam, Aarif Sheikh, Nandan Yadav, Sher Malla
Nepal’s Strengths – Key Squad Analysis
Spin at the heart
Sandeep Lamichhane remains Nepal’s biggest match-winner, especially on turning tracks. Lalit Rajbanshi’s left-arm spin adds variety, while Dipendra and Basir provide part-time options.
All-round depth
Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami allow Nepal to field flexible combinations without compromising batting depth.
Pace with experience
Sompal Kami and Karan KC bring new-ball control and death-overs execution, supported by Nandan Yadav and Sher Malla.
Aggressive batting intent
Kushal Bhurtel’s attacking starts, combined with Rohit Paudel and Dipendra’s stability in the middle, give Nepal a more complete batting unit than in previous editions.
Nepal’s Road to the 2026 T20 World Cup
Nepal secured qualification through the Asia & East Asia-Pacific Qualifiers, producing consistent performances against established Associate sides. Their qualification highlighted the steady progress Nepal have made at international level over the last few years.
Final Word
Nepal may still be considered underdogs, but their T20 World Cup 2026 squad reflects growth, belief and increasing depth. With Rohit Paudel’s leadership, Dipendra Singh Airee’s all-round brilliance and Sandeep Lamichhane’s wicket-taking threat, Nepal will be quietly confident of springing surprises and earning respect on the global stage.