Nepal Cricket Team Faces Scrutiny Over World Cup Preparations Amid Lack of Practice Against Test Nations

Kathmandu. As the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, a debate has begun among cricket fans regarding the Nepali national cricket team's preparation and strategy.

Nepal, currently in final preparations in India for the World Cup to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka, will not get to play any official practice matches against a Test nation before the tournament. Nepal is set to play its crucial group stage matches at the prestigious Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, but according to the warm-up schedule released by the ICC, Nepal will play both its practice matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. In those matches, scheduled for February 3 and 5, Nepal will face Associate nations like the UAE and Canada, respectively.

While the UAE and Canada are strong competitors in Associate cricket, this will not be sufficient preparation for the level of top teams like England and the West Indies that Nepal will face in the World Cup.

Nepal's practice matches will be held in Chennai. Chennai's pitch is often known for being slow and spin-friendly tracks, whereas Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium is famous for its batsman-friendly, flat pitches and the 'dew factor'. Taking the field for the main competition of the World Cup after practicing in completely different conditions could affect the team's performance.

It is not that the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) did not try to arrange practice matches against Test nations. CAN Secretary Paras Khadka had publicly stated that efforts were being made for this. There was even a plan to host a bilateral series before the World Cup. However, CAN states that larger nations were unwilling to commit, citing reasons of time, venue, and logistics.

However, behind the lack of success despite efforts, Nepal's international image also seems to play a role. The fact that Nepal has yet to defeat any Test nation in major tournaments has also had an impact. The failure to fully utilize the opportunities presented on platforms like the Asia Cup and the World Cup means that the perception of Nepal remains limited to the 'Associate level'. This is why it is understood that larger nations are reluctant to play a series.

'Wake-up Call' and Areas for Improvement

In the course of World Cup preparations, Nepal lost the three-match series against Sri Lanka 'A' team by 2-1. That result is being considered a 'wake-up call' for World Cup preparation. Weaknesses such as a lack of expected contribution from Nepal's lower-order batting and a lack of discipline in pace bowling during the death overs were evident in the series. However, identifying weaknesses is the first basis for improvement.

A positive aspect amidst these challenges is the closed training camp currently underway in Mumbai. The team is getting an important opportunity to understand the local conditions, bounce, outfield, and dew factor by playing practice matches against teams like the local MCA Presidents XI. Although these matches are not official, they are considered very useful for World Cup preparation.

Nepal's journey in the group stage is not easy. Scotland, which has replaced Bangladesh in the group, is not a team to be underestimated, alongside world champion teams like England and the West Indies. Scotland, filled with experienced players like Richie Berrington, Mark Watt, George Munsey, and Chris Greaves, can turn the game around at any moment.

Setting aside the limitations of practice matches, Nepal has no alternative but to perform its best with the available resources and opportunities. The real test for Nepal will be to gain confidence by securing impressive victories in the practice matches against the UAE and Canada and carrying that momentum into the World Cup.