Kathmandu: Nepal secured the ICC T20 Asia and East Asia-Pacific Qualifier title with a dominant 124-run victory over Samoa in the final match held at the Al Amerat Ground in Oman on Friday.



Chasing a target of 212 runs, Samoa managed to score only 87 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Sin Sonia top-scored for Samoa with 40 runs. For Nepal, Lalit Rajbanshi took three wickets, while Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane picked up one wicket each.



Earlier, after losing the toss, Nepal posted a formidable 211 runs for four wickets in 20 overs. Asif Sheikh scored 69 runs, his highest individual score in T20 internationals, while Dipendra Singh Airee contributed 53 runs. Likewise, Lokesh Bam made 39 and captain Rohit Paudel added 21 runs.



With this win, Nepal remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, finishing at the top of the Super Six stage with 10 points from five matches. Oman finished second with 8 points, while the UAE secured third place with 6 points.



Following the conclusion of the qualifiers, all teams participating in next year’s ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka have now been confirmed.

Nepal clinches ICC T20 Asia and East Asia-Pacific Qualifier title

Kathmandu: Nepal has been qualified for ICC T20 World Cup, 2026, to be held in India and Sri Lanka next year. Nepal has been selected for world cup after it made its position in top three in ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia and EAP Qualifier in Oman. 



With the victory of the UAE against Samoa by 77 runs in Super Six today in ongoing qualifier, Nepal secured its place in the world cup. With this, Nepal has become successful to reach the world cup consecutively for second time and overall for third time. 



Earlier, Nepal had played the T20 world cup in 2014 and 2024. As per mathematical equation, Nepal would have needed two more points to qualify for the world cup. But Nepal's journey towards world cup became easier with the victory of the UAE against Samoa. 



Similarly, Oman has also secured its place in the world cup after Qatar defeated Japan by three wickets in the next match held today itself. Nepal and Oman have scored six points from three matches while the UAE has four points and Japan and Qatar equal two points. 



The UAE will play against Japan in the final match. With this, the third team qualifying for world cup would be finalized. Nepal is now playing against Oman in its third match in of Super Six.

Nepal qualifies for T20 World Cup 2026

Kathmandu: The Nepali national cricket team has been granted visas to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to play the Unity Cup International T20 series against the West Indies. The team is set to depart for the UAE today. Following the Gen-Z demonstrations held on September 8–9, the UAE had temporarily stopped issuing tourist and labour visas to Nepali citizens. This decision had also affected the national cricket team's travel plans. However, the visas were granted on Sunday at the call of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).



According to CAN Spokesperson Chhumbi Lama, the team is expected to reach the UAE by Tuesday. Nepal will play three T20 matches against the UAE, two-time ICC T20 World Cup champions on September 27, 29, and 30.



All matches will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Nepali national cricket squad leaving for UAE today

Kathmandu: Nepal came from behind to defeat Bhutan in the South Asian Football Confederation (SAFF) U-17 Women's Championship. In the match held at the Changlimithang Stadium in Bhutan today, Nepal defeated the hosts by a margin of 2-1 goals. 



Nepal was trailing by 1-0 in the first half of the match but equalized in the 58th minute of the match. Sahara Limbu neutralized the sore by Kunden Sonam Shegel of Bhutan in the 42nd minute. 



Sahara then doubled the score in the 77th minute of the match to give Nepal a 2-1 lead and eventually a win. Nepal which has played two matches so far has collected three points. In the first match, Nepal was defeated by India 7-0. 



On the other hand, this is the second consecutive defeat for Bhutan. Bhutan was defeated by Bangladesh 3-1 in the first match.

SAFF U-17 women's Football: Nepal defeats Bhutan

Kathmandu: The second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket tournament will take place from November 17 to December 13, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced.



Eight teams, Biratnagar Kings, Janakpur Bolts, Chitwan Rhinos, Kathmandu Gurkhas, Pokhara Avengers, Lumbini Lions, Sudurpaschim Royals and Karnali Yaks, will compete in the Twenty20 tournament. The player mini-auction has already been completed.



The inaugural edition of the NPL, held last year, was won by Janakpur Bolts.



In preparation for this year’s event, the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur is undergoing upgrades, including the construction of a parapet and installation of floodlights.

Second Nepal Premier League to begin from November 17

Kathmandu: Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo is engaged to his long-time partner Georgina Rodríguez.



Rodríguez, 31, revealed the news on Instagram on Monday, posting a photo with a large ring and the caption in Spanish: “Yes, I do. In this and in all my lives.”



The couple, together since 2016, share two daughters. Rodríguez has also helped raise Ronaldo’s three other children. They lost one of their newborn twins, a boy, in 2022.



Ronaldo, 40, met Rodríguez while she was working at a Gucci store in Madrid. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Georgina Rodríguez announce engagement

Kathmandu: The Nepali women football team lost to defending champion North Korea in the final match of the Group 'A' held at Thimpu in Bhutan on Sunday. 



The North Korean team made 11 goals against Nepal while the Nepali team members could not contribute even a single goal in today's game of the AFC Women's U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers. 



With this, Nepal was ousted from the selection round of the AFC Women's U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers. After the victory, North Korea gathered nine points from three matches played so far. The North Korean players made five goals in the first half and remaining goals in the second half of the game. 



Prior to this, North Korea defeated Saudi Arabia 15-0 in the first match and Bhutan 10-0 in the second match. Following Nepal's defeat on Sunday, it lost the chance for getting qualified into the AFC Asian Cup to be held in Thailand next year.

AFC Women's U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Nepal defeated to North Korea

Kathmandu: In preparation for the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced the final list of 150 players eligible for the upcoming auction. 



Originally, 458 players had registered their names for consideration in the auction. The final selection was made based on the interests of the eight teams participating in the NPL, as well as recommendations from the CAN technical committee. 



The shortlisted players have been categorized into three groups. Category 'A' includes eight players: Arjun Saud, Dilip Nath, Dev Khanal, Pawan Sarraf, Sharad Bheshwakar, Mohammad Adil Ansari, Surya Tamang, and Suman Gautam. 



Category 'B' includes 35 players, among them are Anil Kharel, Arjun Kumal, Deepak Bohora, Krishna Karki, and Prajwal Thapa. The remaining 107 players have been placed in Category 'C'. According to CAN, the player auction for the franchise-based T20 cricket tournament is scheduled for August 9.

NPL: 150 cricketers shortlisted for auction

Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the 'FIFA Football for Schools' campaign today.



During the inaugural ceremony organized by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) at the Dashrath Stadium Kathmandu, the Prime Minister said the government accorded priority to the further development of sports sector.He also announced to build an advanced stadium in Suryabinayak of Bhaktapur.



It is said that under the campaign around 1,000 school students will be freely provided with football besides specialized training to school teachers and football team coaches.

Prime Minister launches 'FIFA Football for Schools' campaign

Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday announced that the government will build a new international stadium with a seating capacity of 50,000 in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur.



Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘FIFA Football for Schools’ program at Dasharath Stadium, PM Oli said the government is accelerating the development of sports infrastructure across the country.



“A stadium accommodating 50,000 spectators will soon be constructed in Bhaktapur’s Suryabinayak Municipality,” Oli said, adding that it would be more than triple the size of Dasharath Stadium, which currently holds 15,000.



He also highlighted ongoing efforts in the sports sector, stating that the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur is nearing completion and will host matches in the upcoming cricket season. Additionally, stadiums are under construction in Pokhara, Surkhet, Dhangadhi, Jhapa, and Damak.



“There will no longer be a shortage of stadiums or playing fields in Nepal,” Oli said, emphasizing the government’s ambition to make Nepal a gold medal-winning nation across all sports.



Oli further announced plans to build indoor training facilities, including infrastructure specifically for the women’s volleyball team.



He thanked the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Sports Council, and ANFA for organizing the event and expressed hope for a promising future for young athletes.

PM Oli announces construction of 50,000-capacity Stadium in Bhaktapur

Kathmandu: Nepal is set to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in 2026, marking the country’s biggest-ever international cricket tournament. According to the ICC announcement, the tournament will take place from January 12 to February 16, 2026.



The competition will feature 10 teams, with the top four earning spots in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in England and Wales.



Bangladesh and Ireland have already qualified for the Global Qualifier due to their participation in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. From the Asia region, Thailand and Nepal have secured their spots, while the USA has qualified from the Americas region.



Two teams each will qualify from Africa and Europe, while one team will advance from the East Asia-Pacific region — all to be confirmed through respective regional qualifiers.



The 10 participating teams in Nepal will be divided into two groups, followed by a Super Six stage and a final.



The detailed schedule of the tournament will be announced later.

Nepal to host 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier

Kathmandu: Nepal national cricket team Vice Captain Dipendra Singh Airee has climbed to second place in the ICC T20 International all-rounder rankings, marking a major milestone for Nepali cricket on the global stage.



According to the latest rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Airee moved up one spot, overtaking West Indies' Roston Chase, who dropped from second to ninth. India’s Hardik Pandya remains at the top of the all-rounder rankings, followed by Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi in third, England’s Liam Livingstone in fourth, and West Indies’ Romario Shepherd in fifth.



Despite Airee’s rise, Nepal’s overall performance in the T20I batting rankings showed mixed results. Both Airee and team Captain Rohit Kumar Paudel slipped in their standings. On a positive note, Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh saw improvements in their batting ranks.



In bowling, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi advanced two spots, securing the 56th position in the latest global list.



Airee’s achievement reflects Nepal’s growing presence in international cricket, especially in the T20 format.

Sports

Our Team

Contact Information

USA:

Nepal:

Email:

Phone: