Nepal’s captain, Rohit Paudel, has expressed a desire for cricketing giants like India, England, and Australia to visit Nepal for a T20 series. Nepal recently came close to a major upset in T20 World Cup history when they narrowly lost to England by four runs in Mumbai, with Lokesh Bam needing a six but managing only a single off the final delivery from Sam Curran.
Paudel extended a warm invitation to the teams, emphasizing the enthusiasm in Kirtipur and Kathmandu for hosting such matches. He believes that hosting teams like Australia, England, and India would not only promote the growth of cricket in Nepal but also contribute to the global expansion of the sport.
The spirited performances of Nepal have garnered attention, especially after their close defeat to South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Paudel highlighted the significance of these matches in elevating the status of Nepali cricket on the international stage.
The competitive nature of T20 cricket was emphasized by England’s Jos Buttler, who acknowledged that the format often leads to closely contested matches where individual performances can sway the outcome.
Darren Sammy, head coach of the West Indies, emphasized the importance of playing against associate teams like Nepal to promote the growth of cricket worldwide. He expressed the view that engaging with such teams not only provides exposure but also contributes positively to the development of the sport.
