Nepalese Cricket Team Departs For Japan For the 20th Asian Games

20th September 2026, Kathmandu

The Nepalese national cricket team heads to Japan for the 20th Asian Games with high hopes of winning a medal. Discover the squad lineup, group matches, and goals.

Nepalese Cricket Team Departs

The Nepalese national cricket team was given a warm official farewell on Saturday ahead of their departure for Japan to compete in the 20th Asian Games. The send-off event, organized at the National Sports Council (NSC), was attended by key sports officials, including Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) Secretary Paras Khadka.

High Morale and Strong Ambitions for Glory

Speaking to the media during the ceremony, national team captain Dipendra Singh Airee emphasized that the squad’s prior experience in the Asian Games will be a crucial asset.

“We have played in this tournament before, so the players have gained valuable experience. The team is in great shape, and our primary goal is to win a medal. We are heading there with high morale,” Airee stated.

CAN Secretary Paras Khadka pointed out that given the recent tragic floods in Nepal, the cricket team carries a special responsibility to bring joy and pride back to the nation. He encouraged the players to deliver their absolute best on the international stage.

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Head coach Stuart Law highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament, noting that exceptional cricket will be required to advance past the quarterfinals. Expressing full confidence in the squad, Law said, “We need to play great cricket to move forward from the quarterfinals. I believe our players can do that, and I hope we can win a medal.”

Squad Composition and Tournament Path

The 15-member Nepalese squad for the Asian Games features a strong mix of experience and talent:

Captain: Dipendra Singh Airee

Key Players: Sandeep Lamichhane, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Rajbanshi, Gulsan Kumar Jha, Nandan Yadav, Lokesh Bam, Sandeep Jora, Sher Malla, and Kushal Malla.

Nepal has been placed in the group stage alongside Afghanistan and the host nation, Japan. Successfully clearing the group stage will likely set up a high-stakes quarterfinal clash against either India or Sri Lanka.

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