England will play T-20 series with Nepal!

England's men's cricket team is likely to play a T20 international series with Nepal. It is said that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has started homework on playing a short T-20 series with Nepal in the international tour schedule from 2027 to 2031 i.e. FTP cycle. If the tour is successful, England will become the largest ever international cricket team to tour Nepal. There is a possibility that England may play a two- or three-match T20 international series in Nepal before or after the tour of India.

Nepali cricket has been making significant progress at the international level in recent years. Nepal has consistently performed well as an associate nation and has shown its ability to compete with test nations. By defeating the West Indies in the United Arab Emirates last year, Nepal achieved historic success by winning the series against a full member nation of the ICC for the first time. However, Nepal has not yet had the opportunity to host any Test nation on its soil for a full international series. Therefore, the possibility of a strong team like England coming to Nepal is considered very important for Nepali cricket. It is expected that it will not only give Nepali players the experience of high-level competition but also introduce Nepal's cricket market, supporter culture and infrastructure to the world.

Earlier, Cricket Ireland has also signed a five-year strategic partnership agreement with Nepal Cricket Association CAN. According to the same agreement, Ireland has planned to play a white-ball series in Nepal in the winter of 2026-27. A possible tour of England after Ireland seems to further help establish Nepal as a destination for major international teams. Nepal and England competed for the first time in the T-20 World Cup held last February. England defeated Nepal in the last ball in the exciting match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After the match, Paras Khadka, secretary of the Nepal Cricket Association, is said to have discussed the bilateral series with ECB officials in India.

The ECB is currently in discussions with various cricket boards for the FTP from 2027 to 2031. At the same time, preliminary homework was also done on the possibility of holding a short T-20 series with Nepal. This proposal is seen as practical as England can arrange the schedule of Nepal tour in connection with the India tour. Rohit Paudel, the captain of the Nepali team, has also been saying that the visit of a big country to Nepal will be a great achievement for Nepali cricket. According to him, if teams like Australia or England come to Nepal, it will send a message to the world that Nepal can play good cricket.

The growing interest in Nepali cricket has also started to be seen in the international media. Sky Sports recently aired a documentary titled 'Nepal: Climbing Cricket's Mountain', which showcases Nepal's passion for cricket, fan enthusiasm and the growing popularity of the game. In the said documentary, Paras Khadka said that Nepali cricket now needs exposure and only by playing with Test nations, the level of players will rise.

According to Khadka, cricket has now settled in the hearts of Nepali children. He says that this is not only a game but also an important means of connecting the country. It seems that a possible visit of a team like England to Nepal can add a new chapter in the development journey of Nepali cricket.