Nepal Squad For T20 World Cup 2026 includes a shortlist of 15 players with performers from Nepal Premier League getting rewarded.
Nepal have named a balanced 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, blending a settled core with a few form-driven selections from the Nepal Premier League (NPL). The final group, trimmed down from a 24-member preliminary camp, reflects Nepal’s intent to stay competitive against stronger opposition while continuing to back players who have delivered under domestic pressure.
Nepal are the latest to join the list of all T20 World Cup 2026 squads. Can Nepal qualify for the next stage at this T20 World Cup? We analyse Nepal Super 8 chances at T20 World Cup 2026.
Nepal Squad For T20 World Cup 2026
Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee (vc), Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla, Lokesh Bam.
Below are the major talking points around Nepal’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad.
Rohit Paudel Continues As Captain As Nepal Back Continuity
Rohit Paudel will lead Nepal in his second straight T20 World Cup, with Dipendra Singh Airee named vice-captain. The decision underlines the selectors’ preference for continuity, especially after Paudel’s calm leadership during the 2024 edition where Nepal pushed South Africa and Bangladesh close despite not winning a match.
Paudel remains central to Nepal’s batting plans, while Airee’s dual value as a finisher and off-spin option gives the side flexibility across conditions in India. Ian Bishop rated Nepal as a special team led by a very good captain in Paudel.
Sher Malla’s Rise From NPL To World Cup Squad
The biggest new face in the squad is offspinner Sher Malla, who has earned his maiden World Cup call-up after a standout Nepal Premier League season. Malla finished joint-highest wicket-taker in NPL 2025, claiming 17 wickets in 10 matches at an economy rate of 6.50, and played a key role in Lumbini Lions’ title-winning campaign.
Most wickets in NPL 2025-26
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandeep Lamichhane | 9 | 17 | 10.41 | 4.91 |
| Abinash Bohara | 9 | 17 | 11.47 | 7.45 |
| Sher Malla | 10 | 17 | 13.76 | 6.50 |
| Ruben Trumpelmann | 10 | 15 | 14.93 | 6.72 |
| Shahab Alam | 8 | 13 | 13.38 | 6.21 |
| Karan KC | 8 | 13 | 16.46 | 7.42 |
His inclusion signals Nepal’s willingness to reward domestic performance, even at the global level, and adds another spin option alongside Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi.
Why Is Kushal Malla Not There In Nepal Squad For T20 World Cup 2026?
One of the notable omissions is Kushal Malla, who featured in Nepal’s Asia-Pacific Qualifier campaign. While Malla has been an aggressive batting option in the past, the selectors have opted for better balance, preferring Basir Ahamad and Sher Malla for their all-round and bowling value.
A closer look at his Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025-26 numbers explains why selectors eventually looked elsewhere. In the NPL, Kushal Malla scored 135 runs in seven matches at an average of 27.00 and a strike rate of 121.62, without registering a single fifty.
He was clearly overshadowed by several peers competing for similar batting roles. Rohit Paudel finished as Nepal’s leading run-scorer in the tournament, while Basir Ahamad and Aarif Sheikh offered more consistency in the middle order. Even fringe and overseas batters produced higher-impact returns in fewer innings.
Another factor working against Kushal Malla was role clarity. Nepal’s final squad leans heavily on multi-skill players and clearly defined roles: top-order aggression, spin depth, and all-rounders who can influence both innings. Malla’s batting output did not decisively lock down a specialist role.
Selectors also appeared to prioritise recent domestic momentum over past international exposure. Sher Malla’s 17 wickets in the NPL and Basir Ahamad’s steady contributions with the bat made stronger, form-driven cases.
Strong Spin Core Remains Nepal’s Biggest Weapon
Spin continues to be Nepal’s primary strength. Sandeep Lamichhane remains the leader of the attack, supported by Lalit Rajbanshi, Dipendra Airee and Sher Malla. On subcontinental surfaces, this spin-heavy combination is expected to be central to Nepal’s plans, especially in controlling middle overs against stronger batting line-ups.
The pace attack will be led by Karan KC and Sompal Kami, with Nandan Yadav and Gulshan Jha providing support. While Nepal lack outright pace compared to top nations, this group offers experience, swing with the new ball, and depth in the lower order.
Batting Core Largely Unchanged From 2024
Nepal have largely retained their top-order structure from the previous World Cup. Kushal Bhurtel will again be tasked with providing aggressive starts, while Aasif Sheikh and Aarif Sheikh offer stability through the middle. This continuity suggests Nepal are backing familiarity and chemistry rather than experimenting heavily just before a major tournament.
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The final squad has been trimmed from a 24-member training camp, with several players missing out despite being part of the wider group. The biggest takeaway from this process is that recent domestic form, particularly in the NPL, played a decisive role in selection, with Sher Malla and Basir Ahamad emerging as clear winners.
Nepal’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 reflects a clear strategy: trust the core that has grown together over the last two years, strengthen spin resources for subcontinental conditions, and reward domestic performers who have shown the ability to handle pressure. While progressing beyond the group stage remains a challenge, Nepal will again look to punch above their weight and test established teams.
