The Nepal women’s cricket team has officially unveiled its squad for the upcoming Asian Games Women’s Qualifier and the ACC Women’s Premier Cup 2026, with the side aiming to continue its remarkable rise in Asian women’s cricket. The announcement has created excitement among fans, especially with several experienced performers and promising young cricketers included in the squad. Nepal have steadily developed into one of the most competitive Associate nations in women’s cricket, and the upcoming tournaments will provide another major opportunity to showcase their growth on the international stage.
Leading the squad is experienced all-rounder Indu Barma, who has been one of the pillars of Nepal women’s cricket in recent years. Barma’s consistency with the bat and calm leadership have made her one of the team’s most dependable players. In Women’s T20 Internationals, she has scored more than 1198 runs for Nepal and has regularly anchored the middle order during difficult situations. Apart from her batting, Barma’s off-spin bowling has also provided 41 crucial breakthroughs, making her a genuine all-round asset for the national side.
Nepal Women’s Squad for Asian Games Qualifier and ACC Women’s Premier Cup 2026
Former captain Rubina Chhetri continues to remain one of Nepal’s biggest match-winners. Chhetri is among Nepal’s leading wicket-takers in WT20Is and has also contributed heavily with the bat across multiple ICC and ACC tournaments. Her ability to control the middle overs with spin bowling has often helped Nepal dominate Associate opposition. Over the years, she has produced several memorable performances, including match-winning spells in ACC competitions and ICC qualifiers.She has scored 1038 runs in WT20Is and picked up 55 wickets. Chhetri’s contribution to Nepal women’s cricket has been historic, as she played a major role in popularising the women’s game in the country.
Young sensation Puja Mahato has rapidly become one of the brightest emerging talents in Asian Associate cricket. Despite her young age, Mahato has already impressed with impactful performances in international matches and youth tournaments. She has scored 725 runs with a highest score of 62* and claimed 36 wickets. She gained widespread recognition after delivering strong all-round displays in ICC pathway events, where she contributed important runs and wickets under pressure. Her fearless batting approach and ability to bowl economical spells make her one of Nepal’s most exciting prospects heading into the tournaments.
Another crucial figure in the squad is Sita Rana Magar, whose aggressive batting and disciplined bowling provide balance to the side. Magar has scored 1005 runs in pressure chases and remains one of Nepal’s most experienced T20 performers. She has also picked up 62 wickets with her left-arm spin, particularly in Asian conditions where slower bowlers often dominate matches. Her versatility gives Nepal flexibility in team combinations.
Nepal’s bowling attack will once again rely heavily on spin, an area where the team has consistently excelled. Players like Kabita Joshi and Manisha Upadhyaya have shown strong potential in domestic and international matches. Nepal’s bowlers were especially impressive during recent ACC events, where the team regularly restricted opponents to low totals through disciplined spin bowling and sharp fielding efforts.
The squad also highlights Nepal’s investment in youth development. Cricketers such as Riya Sharma, Samjhana Khadka and Kabita Kunwar have earned national call-ups after consistent performances in domestic cricket and youth competitions. Their inclusion reflects Nepal’s long-term vision of building a sustainable and competitive women’s cricket structure capable of challenging stronger Asian teams in the future.
Nepal women’s cricket has made significant progress over the last few years. The national team has produced impressive performances in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers and ACC tournaments, regularly finishing among the stronger Associate sides in the region. In recent international competitions, Nepal have registered important victories against teams like Bhutan, Maldives, Hong Kong and Kuwait, showing their steady improvement in both batting depth and bowling discipline.
The Asian Games Women’s Qualifier will be especially important because qualification would allow Nepal to compete on one of the biggest multi-sport stages in Asia. Meanwhile, the ACC Women’s Premier Cup 2026 provides another opportunity for Nepal to improve its regional standing and potentially strengthen its ICC Women’s T20I rankings. With experienced players guiding a talented young core, Nepal will enter the tournaments with confidence and growing expectations from supporters.
The blend of senior experience and emerging talent makes this Nepal squad one of the most balanced groups the country has assembled in recent years. If players like Indu Barma, Rubina Chhetri and Sita Rana Magar continue their consistent performances while youngsters such as Puja Mahato rise to the occasion, Nepal could emerge as one of the standout teams of the tournament season.
As women’s cricket in Nepal continues to grow in popularity and competitiveness, the upcoming Asian Games Qualifier and ACC Women’s Premier Cup could become defining moments in the team’s journey toward greater international recognition.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.