Kathmandu, October 23
The TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur is set for a busy six months, with a packed schedule of domestic and international tournaments, including the Nepal Premier League (NPL), the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-Off and the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
The schedule will bring franchise cricket, World Cup qualification matches and international bilateral fixtures to Nepal’s main cricket venue, culminating in the country’s biggest cricket event to date, the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in January and February 2027.
The major events scheduled at the ground include the third edition of the NPL, the Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-Off, selected matches of the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup and a T20 series between Nepal and Bangladesh.
NPL to kick off packed schedule
The busy period will begin on October 26 with the third edition of the NPL, which will run until November 21 at the TU ground. Organised by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the franchise tournament will feature eight teams competing for the title.
The tournament has expanded its international profile, with more overseas players expected to feature and new technology being introduced.
The third edition has received International Cricket Council (ICC) recognition, with matches set to carry official List A T20 status.
The Decision Review System (DRS) will also be introduced for the first time in the NPL. According to CAN, the system will include full 3D ball tracking for leg-before-wicket reviews, as well as reviews for run-outs, stumpings and no-balls.
The system will also use artificial intelligence for edge detection, alongside height-based wide-ball checks, measurements of sixes and additional bowling analytics.
The NPL is expected to give Nepali players opportunities to compete in a professional franchise environment and play alongside international cricketers.
World Cup Qualifier Play-Off in December
A few days after the NPL concludes, the TU ground will host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-Off from December 4 to 21.
Eight teams will compete in the tournament. The four lowest-ranked teams in the Cricket World Cup League 2, along with the top two teams each from Challenge League A and Challenge League B, will take part.
The top four teams will advance to the qualifying tournament for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which will be held in South Africa and Namibia.
Nepal, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Jersey, Italy and Uganda are among the teams expected to compete, while Kuwait and Namibia are listed as possible participants.
The tournament will be crucial for Nepal’s hopes of progressing towards the 2027 World Cup. Playing at home could offer the Nepali team an opportunity to take an important step in its qualification campaign.
U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup the major highlight
The ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for January 21 to February 6, 2027, will be the biggest cricket tournament Nepal has hosted.
According to the ICC’s published schedule, 15 of the tournament’s 41 matches will be played in Nepal, at the TU International Cricket Ground and the Mulpani Cricket Ground.
Seven matches are scheduled for the TU ground, with games set for January 22, 24, 26 and 27.
Preparations for the tournament have been underway at the ground for months, with ICC representatives also visiting to inspect the venue.
The event will bring youth women’s teams from different countries to Nepal and is expected to provide an important platform for the development and international visibility of women’s cricket in the country.
T20 series against Bangladesh in March
Nepal is also scheduled to host Bangladesh for a T20 series from March 26 to 30, 2027.
The series will provide Nepal with another opportunity to compete against international opposition.
Meanwhile, a T20 series between Nepal and India A, which had been planned for November, has been postponed because of the World Cup Qualifier Play-Off. CAN has said new dates will be announced soon.
The gap between the end of the play-off on December 21 and the start of the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in January could provide an opportunity to reschedule the India A series, although no new dates have been confirmed.
With the NPL, the World Cup Qualifier Play-Off, the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup and the Bangladesh series on the calendar, the TU International Cricket Ground is set to remain at the centre of Nepal’s cricketing activity over the coming months.
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