Cricket in Nepal

Cricket in Nepal
Cricket in Nepal
	Mulpani Cricket Stadium
Country	Nepal
Governing body	Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN)
National team(s)	Men ; Women ; Nepal A ; U-19 Men ; U-19 women
First played	1920
Registered players	50000
Clubs	4500
National competitions
	List Senior Cricket Competition: First Class Cricket Men's Elite Trophy; ; List A Cricket PM Cup ; Manmohan Memorial National One-Day Cup ; Kathmandu Mayor Cup Tournament; ; T20 Cricket National T20 Championship; Prime Minister Cup Women's National Tournament ; Lalitpur Mayor Women's Cup ; ; ; U-19 Cricket Competition: List A Cricket Men's Under-19 National Cricket Tournament; ; T20 Cricket Girl's U19 National (Maiyadevi Cup); ; ; U-16 Cricket Competition: List A Cricket Men's Under-16 National Cricket Tournament; Manmohan Memorial U16 National Cricket Tournament; ; T20 Cricket Girl's U16 National/WC Talent Hunt; ; ; Inter-School Cricket Competition SAAF School Cricket Series ; ; ;
Club competitions
	List Nepal Premier League ; ;
International competitions
	List National team ICC World Twenty20: Group Stage (2014, 2024); ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier: Runners-up (2023); ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier: Playoffs (2014, 2018, 2023); ICC Cricket World Cup League 2: 3rd (2019-2023); ACC Men's Asia Cup: Group Stage (2023); ACC Men's Premier Cup: Champions (2023); Asian Games Cricket: Quarter-finals (2010, 2014, 2022); South Asian Games Cricket: Bronze Medal (2019); ACC Men's Emerging Teams Asia Cup: Group Stage(2013, 2017, 2019, 2023); ; U-19 national team Under 19 Cricket World Cup: Super Six (2024); Under-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier:Champions (2015, 2024); ACC Men's Under-19 Asia Cup: Semi-finals (2017); ACC Men's Under-19 Premier Cup: Champions (2023); ; Women's national team ACC Women's Asia Cup: Group Stage (2012, 2016, 2024); ACC Women's Premier Cup: Semi-finals (2024); Asian Games Cricket: Quarter-finals (2014); South Asian Games Cricket: Bronze Medal (2019); ACC Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup: Group Stage (2023); ; ;

Last updated September 21, 2024

Cricket in Nepal has gained popularity over the years and has become the country's one of the most popular and widely followed sport. It rapidly grew popularity in the mid 2010s, following the slight successes of the Nepalese cricket team as well as the country's explosive rise in social media and television viewing influence from neighboring country India. It is played by many people throughout the country, especially in the Terai region. The biggest cricketing achievement of the national cricket team was when the team reached the qualification tournament of 2014 ICC World T20 held in Bangladesh. Nepal's playing season runs from September to November and starts again in March before finishing in May. As of October 2023, there were 3400 senior cricket clubs and over 35000 registered players in Nepal.^[1]

History

Beginnings

In 1920s Cricket was introduced to Nepal for the first time by Lt.-Gen.Madan Shumsher JBR youngest son of Rana Prime Minister Maharaja Chandra Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana. But at the time, cricket was considered a "gentleman's game" so was limited to the ruling Rana family members and some elites of Nepal. Though the game was kept within themselves and other members of the elite, the Cricket Association of Nepal was formed in 1946 to promote cricket amongst the aristocracy.^[2]

After the introduction of democracy through the Revolution of 1951, cricket began to spread to the rest of the population. In 1961, in an effort to promote cricket to the whole of Nepal, the Cricket Association of Nepal became part of the National Sports Council. Nevertheless, the National games tended to be limited to Kathmandu until the 1980s.^[2]

ICC and ACC Membership

Improvements to the communication and transport infrastructure in Nepal allowed the game to expand outside Kathmandu in the 1980s,^[2] and Nepal became an Affiliate Member of the ICC in 1988.^[3] A major development programme began in the early 1990s, with regional and district tournaments established and cricket being promoted in the schools.^[2] Nepal became an Associate Member of the ACC in 1990 and became a full member in 1994.

Interest in cricket increased quickly in the 1990s, and demand to play was such that the number of teams in tournaments had to be restricted until more facilities could be built.

1996-Present

Nepal became an Associate Member of the ICC in 1996,^[3] which was the year the national side played for the first time, in the ACC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur. Nepal finished fourth out of six teams in their first round group in this competition, beating Brunei and Japan.^[4] The achievement of this era was the historic win against Bangladesh in the 1999 ACC Trophy.

Nepal secured a 2002 Asia cup place but due to India Pakistan tension Asia cup didn't happen. During the 2004-2008 era Nepal U19 is at the peak. They beat New Zealand in the U19 World Cup. One of the significant turning points came in 2008 when they secured the ICC World Cricket League Division Five title.

Nepal played their first T20I World Cup in Bangladesh 2014 where they defeated Hong Kong and Afghanistan. Since then, Nepali cricket's fan following has been increasing day by day.

At 2016 U19 World Cup Nepal performed outstanding and reached quarter final. In 2018 Nepal secured a ODI status for the next 5 years after the win against PNG in ICC ODI World Cup Qualifier at Zimbabwe.

Administration

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is the official governing body of cricket in Nepal. Its headquarters is situated in Mulpani, Kathmandu. It is Nepal's representative at the International Cricket Council and remains an associate member since 1996 AD (2053 BS). It is also a member of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

The board was dissolved by the government of Nepal in November 2014 on the grounds of incompetence and a three-member ad hoc committee was established with a new president designated by the government itself.^[5]

In April 2016, CAN was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC), on the grounds of government interference in its operations. However the suspension did not prevent Nepal's national teams from participating in ICC tournaments.^[6]^[7]

The ICC welcomed the elections of the board held in September 2019^[8] and formally reinstated the board on a conditional basis on 14 October.^[9] On 13 October 2019, the ICC lifted its suspension on the Cricket Association of Nepal.^[10]

National team

The Nepal national cricket team is governed by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and is a member of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Since 1996 AD (2053 BS), the CAN has been affiliated with ICC, the international governing body for world cricket as a associate member. In 1990 AD (2047 BS), the CAN became one of the members of the ACC. There are other Indian national teams, such as the Nepal A team and under-19 team.

Performance

The following list includes the performance of all of India's national teams at major competitions.

Men's senior team

Tournament	Appearance in finals	Last appearance	Best performance
ICC Men's T20 World Cup	0 out of 9	2024	Group Stage (2014, 2024)
ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier	1 out of 1	2023	Runners-up (2023)
ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier	0 out of 12	2023	Playoffs (2014, 2018, 2023)
ICC Cricket World Cup League 2	0 out of 1	2019-2023	3rd (2019-2023)
Asia Cup	0 out of 16	2023	Group Stage (2023)
ACC Men's Premier Cup	1 out of 2	2023	Champions (2023)
Asian Games	0 out of 3	2022	Quarter-finals (2010, 2014, 2022)
South Asian Games Cricket	0 out of 2	2019	Bronze Medal (2019)
ACC Men's Emerging Teams Asia Cup	0 out of 5	2023	Group Stage(2013, 2017, 2019, 2023)

Women's senior team

Tournament	Appearance in finals	Last appearance	Best performance
Women's Asia Cup	0 out of 9	2024	Group Stage (2012, 2016, 2024)
ACC Women's Premier Cup	0 out of 1	2024	Semi-finals (2024)
Asian Games Cricket	0 out of 3	2014	Quarter-finals (2014)
South Asian Games Cricket	0 out of 2	2019	Bronze Medal (2019)
ACC Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup	0 out of 1	2023	Group Stage (2023)

Men's U-19 team

Tournament	Appearance in finals	Last appearance	Best performance
Under-19 Cricket World Cup	0 out of 15	2024	Super Six (2024)
Under-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier	9 out of 15	2024	Champions (2015, 2024)
ACC Under-19 Asia Cup	-	2023	Semi-finals (2017)
ACC Men's Under-19 Premier Cup	1 out of 3	2023	Champions (2023)

Wonen's U-19 team

Affiliated Province Cricket Associations

There are currently 7 provincial cricket associations and 45 district cricket associations affiliated with CAN.^[11]

Team	Logo	Province	Governing Body	Years	Men's			Women's
Team	Logo	Province	Governing Body	Years	Senior	U-19	U-16	Senior	U-19	U-16
Koshi Province		Koshi Province	Koshi Province Cricket Association	2018–	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N
Madhesh Province		Madhesh Province	Madhesh Province Cricket Association	2018–	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N
Bagmati Province		Bagmati Province	Bagmati Province Cricket Association	2018–	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N
Gandaki Province		Gandaki Province	Gandaki Province Cricket Association	2018–	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N
Lumbini Province		Lumbini Province	Lumbini Province Cricket Association	2018–	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N
Karnali Province		Karnali Province	Karnali Province Cricket Association	2018–	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N
Sudurpaschim Province		Sudurpashchim Province	Sudurpashchim Province Cricket Association	2018–	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N

Organisation of cricket in modern Nepal

International cricket

Men's National Team

The Nepal National Cricket Team represents Nepal in international cricket matches.

Nepal have been participating in international cricket since 1996 when they competed in the 1996 ACC Trophy. They have competed in numerous tournaments over the years including the ICC Trophy (later the ICC World Cup Qualifier), the ICC Intercontinental Cup. The team gained T20 International status for the first time in 2013 after qualifying for the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 which was their first and only appearance at a major ICC event. The team also gained One Day International status in 2018 after finishing 8th in the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier.^[12]

One Day International- The Nepalese team took part in their first one-day international on 1 August 2018 against the Netherlands national team at the VRA Cricket Ground in Amstelveen and registered its first win two days later against them at the same ground.^[13]^[14] Nepal hosted its first one-day international against the United States national team at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on 8 February 2020.^[15] Nepal is currently competing in the 2019–22 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 which is their first one-day international tournament.^[16]

T20 International- Nepal faced Hong Kong in their first Twenty20 international game on 16 March 2014 at the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 which was their first and only appearance at a major ICC event.^[17] Nepal won two of their three matches in the tournament with wins against Hong Kong and Afghanistan and a loss against Bangladesh (their first international match against a full member) as they failed to make it past the first round on net run rate.^[18]^[19]^[20] Nepal holds permanent T20I since 1 January 2019 after a decision by the International Cricket Council to T20I status to all member nations.^[21]

Women's National Team

The Nepal national women's cricket team represents Nepal in international women's cricket matches. They made their international debut in the ACC Women's Tournament in Malaysia in July 2007. The women's team has competed in two Women's Asia Cup and regularly competes in Asian Cricket Council events. The women's team hold T20I status since 1 July 2018 after a decision by the International Cricket Council to give T20I status to all member nations.^[21]

Domestic Cricket

Men's Domestic Cricket

First Class competition

Men's Elite Trophy

Limited overs competitions

PM Cup -
Manmohan Memorial National One-Day Cup -
Kathmandu Mayor Cup Tournament

Twenty20 competitions

Nepal Premier League -
National T20 Championship

Youth competitions

Men's Under-19 National Cricket Tournament
Men's Under-16 National Cricket Tournament
Manmohan Memorial U16 National Cricket Tournament
SAAF School Cricket Series

Women's Domestic Cricket

Twenty20 competitions

Prime Minister Cup Women's National Tournament
Lalitpur Mayor Women's Cup

Youth competitions

Girl's U19 National (Maiyadevi Cup)
Girl's U16 National/WC Talent Hunt

Stadiums

There are 65 grounds in Nepal with 17 turf wickets,^[1] but international matches can be played only at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur and Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground on the outskirts of Kathmandu. The Pokhara International Cricket Stadium is the only other ground to host international cricket having hosted the women's tournament at the 2019 South Asian Games.

Active Stadiums

Ground	Photo	City	District	Province	Capacity	ODl ^[22]		T20I ^[23]		Notes
Ground	Photo	City	District	Province	Capacity	Matches	First match	Matches	First match	Notes
Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground		Kirtipur	Kathmandu	Bagmati	15,000	25	5 February 2020	27	5 December 2019	^[24]
Mulpani International Cricket Ground		Kageshwari-Manohara	Kathmandu	Bagmati	4,000	1	29 April 2023	13	23 October, 2023	^[25]
Pokhara International Cricket Stadium		Pokhara	Kaski	Gandaki	5,000+	4	2 December 2019	0	Not Yet	Proposed expansion

International competitions hosted

Competition	Edition	Winner	Final	Runners-up	Nepal's position	Venues	Final venue	Stadium
Men's senior competitions
ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier	2023 (Regional Final)	Oman	184/9 (20 overs) – 184/6 (20 overs) Super Over: 21/0- 10/1	Nepal	Runners-up	2 (in 1 City)	Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground
ACC Premier Cup	2023	Nepal	118/3 (30.3 overs) – 117 (33.1 overs)	United Arab Emirates	Champions	2 (in 1 City)	Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground
Cricket at the South Asian Games	2019	Bangladesh	98/5 (16.1 overs) - 94/9 (20 overs)	Sri Lanka	Bronze	2 (in 1 city)	Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground
Women's senior competitions
Cricket at the South Asian Games	2019	Bangladesh	91/8 (20 overs) - 89/9 (20 overs)	Sri Lanka	Bronze	2 (in 1 city)	Pokhara International Cricket Stadium

Performance By Nepal national team in International competitions

Men's team

**Key**
	Champions
	Runners-up
	3rd position

ICC Cricket World Cup

ICC Cricket World Cup record								Qualification record
Host & Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	L	T	NR	Pld	W	L	T	NR
1975	Not eligible							Not eligible
1979
1983
1987
1992
1996
1999
2003	Did not qualify							5	4	1	0	0
2007	Not eligible							Not eligible
2011	Not eligible							Not eligible
2015	Did not qualify							16	9	7	0	0
2019								35	17	17	0	1
2023								36	19	15	1	1
2027	TBD
2031	TBD

ICC T20 World Cup

Host & Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2007	Not eligible
2009
2010
2012	Did not qualify
2014	Group Stage	12/16	3	2	1	0	0
2016	Did not qualify
2021
2022
2024	Group Stage	17/20	4	0	3	0	1
2026	TBD
2028
2030
Total	Group Stage (2014, 2024)	2/9	7	2	4	0	1

ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier

Host & Year	Round	Position	P	W	L	T	NR	Notes
1979	Not eligible – Not an ICC member
1982
1986
1990	Not eligible – ICC affiliate member
1994	Not eligible – ICC affiliate member
1997	Did not participate
2001	Group stage	Round 1	5	4	1	0	0
2005	Did not qualify
2009	Not eligible – In Division Five
2014	Playoffs	9th	6	1	5	0	0	Relegated to 2014 Division 3
2018	Playoffs	8th	6	2	4	0	0	Gained ODI status until 2023
2023	Playoffs	8th	6	2	4	0	0	Had retained ODI status until 2027
Total			23	9	14	0	0

ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier

Host & Year	Round	Position	P	W	L	T	NR	Notes
2008	Did not participate
2010	Did not participate
2012	7th-10th Playoff Stage	7th	9	5	4	0	0
2013	Semi Final	3rd	10	6	4	0	0	Qualified for the 2014 ICC World Twenty20
2015	Group Stage	12th	6	1	4	0	1
2019	Did not qualify
2022	Semi Final	3rd	5	4	1	0	0
2023	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	1	1	0	Qualified for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup
Total			35	18	14	1	1

Asia Cup

Host & Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	L	T	NR
1984	Not Eligible
1986
1988
1990–91
1995
1997	did not qualify
2000	did not participate
2004	did not qualify
2008	did not qualify
2010	did not participate
2012	did not participate
2014	did not qualify
2016	did not participate
2018	did not qualify
2022	did not qualify
2023	Group Stage	5th/6th	2	0	2	0	0

Asia Cup Qualifier

Host & Year	Tournament	Position	P	W	L	T	N/R	Notes
2014	ACC Premier League	3rd	5	3	2	0	0	Qualified for 2014 ACC Championship, but the tournament was cancelled.
2016	Asia Cup Qualifier	did not participate						Had no T20I status
2018	Asia Cup Qualifier	4th	5	2	3	0	0	Qualified for the 2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup
2020	Asia Cup Qualifier	did not qualify						Setback in eastern regional qualifier
2023	ACC Premier Cup	Champions	6	5	0	0	1	Qualified for the 2023 Asia Cup and 2023 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup
2024	ACC Premier Cup	4th	6	4	2	0	0

Asian Games

Year	Position	GP	W	L	T	N/R	Notes
2010	Quarter-finals	3	1	2	-	-	Knocked out by Sri-Lanka in the Quarter-Final
2014	Quarter-finals	3	2	1	-	-	Knocked out by Afghanistan in the Quarter-Final
2022	Quarter-finals	3	2	1	-	-	Knocked out by India in the Quarter-Final

World Cricket League / Cricket World Cup League 2

Year	Position	GP	W	L	T	N/R	Notes
2008 ICC World Cricket League Division Five	3rd place	7	5	1	0	1	Remained in 2010 Division Five
2010 ICC World Cricket League Division Five	Champions	6	5	1	0	0	Promoted to Division Four for 2010
2010 ICC World Cricket League Division Four	3rd place	6	4	2	0	0	Remained in Division Four for 2012
2012 ICC World Cricket League Division Four	Champions	6	6	0	0	0	Promoted to Division Three for 2013
2013 ICC World Cricket League Division Three	Champions	6	4	2	0	0	Promoted to the 2014 World Cup Qualifier
2014 ICC World Cricket League Division Three	Champions	6	5	1	0	0	Promoted to Division Two for 2015
2015 Division Two	4th place	6	3	3	0	0	Qualified for the 2015-17 ICC World Cricket League Championship
2015–17 ICC World Cricket League Championship	7th place	14	4	9	0	1	Relegated to Division Two
2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Two	Runners-Up	6	4	2	0	0	Advanced to the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier
2019-2023 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2	3rd	36	19	15	1	1	Advanced to the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier and retained ODI status until 2027
2023-2027 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2	On Going

South Asian Games

Host & Year	Position	GP	W	L	T	N/R
2019	Bronze	5	3	2	0	0


ACC Emerging Team Asia Cup (List A Tournaments)
Host & Year	Tournament	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2013	2013 ACC Emerging Teams Cup	Group Stage	3	0	3	0	0
2017	2017 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup	Group Stage	3	1	2	0	0
2018	2018 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup	Did not Qualify
2019	2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup	Group Stage	3	1	2	0	0
2023	2023 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup	Group Stage	3	1	2	0	0


ICC Intercontinental Cup (First Class Tournament)
Year	Tournament	Position	GP	W	L	D	points
2004	2004 ICC Intercontinental Cup	Group Stage- Asia Group	2	1	0	1	42
2005	2005 ICC Intercontinental Cup	Group Stage- Asia Group	2	1	0	1	40.5
2006-07	2006–07 ICC Intercontinental Cup	Did not qualify
2007-08	2007–08 ICC Intercontinental Cup	Did not qualify
2009-10	2009–10 ICC Intercontinental Cup	Did not qualify
2011-13	2011–2013 ICC Intercontinental Cup	Did not qualify
2015-17	2015–2017 ICC Intercontinental Cup	Did not qualify

ACC Fast Track Countries Tournament record
Year	Tournament	Position
2006	ACC Fast Track Countries Tournament	Winners

ACC Trophy record (50 Over Tournament)
Year	Tournament	Position
1996	1996 ACC Trophy	First round
1998	1998 ACC Trophy	First round
2000	2000 ACC Trophy	Semi-finals
2002	2002 ACC Trophy	Runners-up
2004	2004 ACC Trophy	5th place
2006	2006 ACC Trophy	4th place
2008	2008 ACC Trophy Elite	4th place
2010	2010 ACC Trophy Elite	Runners-up
2012	2012 ACC Trophy Elite	Winners (Shared trophy with United Arab Emirates national cricket team

Women's team

Women's World Cup

World Cup record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
1973	Not an ICC member
1978
1982
1988
1993
1997	No women's ODI status
2000
2005
2009
2013
2017
2022
2025
Total	0/13	0 Titles	0	0	0	0	0

Women's World T20

Twenty20 World Cup Record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2009	Did not qualify
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2023
2024
2026	TBD
Total	0/10	0 Titles	0	0	0	0	0

ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier

ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2013	Did not qualify
2015
2018
2019
2022
2024
Total	0/6	0 Titles	0	0	0	0	0

ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

2016: 2nd (DNQ)
2017:^[26] 3rd (DNQ)
2019: 2nd (DNQ)
2021: 3rd (DNQ)
2023: Semi finalist (DNQ)

Asia Cup

Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2004	did not enter (ODI format)
2005-06
2006
2008
2012	Group stage	7/8	3	0	3	0	0
2016	Group stage	6/8	5	0	5	0	0
2018	did not qualify (T20I format)
2022	did not qualify (T20I format)
2024	Qualified
Total	3/9	0 Titles	8	0	8	0	0

ACC Women's Tournament

Year	Round	Position	Played	Won	Lost	Tie	NR
ACC Women's Tournament
2007	Runners-Up	2/8	5	4	1	0	0
ACC Women's Twenty20 Championship
2009	Semi-finals	3/12	7	5	2	0	0
2011	Semi-finals	4/10	6	4	2	0	0
ACC Women's Championship
2013	Semi-finals	3/11	6	5	1	0	0
ACC Women's Premier
2014	Group Stage	4/6	5	2	3	0	0
Total	Runners-Up	5/5	29	20	9	0	0

ACC Women's Premier Cup

ACC Women's Premier Cup Record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2024	Semi-finals	3/16	5	4	1	0	0
Total	1/1	0 Titles	5	4	1	0	0

Asian Games

Year	Round	Position	Played	Won	Lost
2010	First Round	5/8	3	1	2
2014	Quarter-finals	5/10	3	1	2
Total	Quarter-finals	2/2	6	2	4

South Asian Games

Year	Round	Position	Played	Won	Lost	Tie	NR
2019	Third Place	3/4	4	2	2	0	0