The Nepal Women’s team, despite getting the ODI status, haven’t made their ODI debut as a team yet, and as a result, weren’t in contention for a spot in the upcoming edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 that will be hosted in India in September–October later this year.
However, there’s an opportunity for them to put themselves in strong contention for a spot in the upcoming edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.
Cricket in Nepal has long been a source of national pride, and the women’s team is now poised to write a new chapter in its history. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier days away, Nepal has unveiled a 14-member squad blending seasoned leadership, strategic comebacks, and exciting new talent. Here’s why this team could defy expectations in Thailand.
Complete Squad: Nepal Women’s Cricket Team
Indu Barma, Roma Thapa, Rubina Chettrey, Bindu Rawal, Kabita Joshi, Samjhana Khadka, Rajmati Airee, Puja Mahato, Rubi Poddar, Kabita Kunwar, Sabnam Rai, Ishwori Bist, Manisha Upadhyaya, Riya Sharma
Leadership Dynamics: Indu Barma and Pooja Mahato’s Steady Hands.
Captain Indu Barma and deputy Puja Mahato bring a wealth of experience to a squad navigating high-pressure cricket. Barma, a tactical thinker known for her calm under pressure, has led Nepal through previous qualifiers, while Mahato’s all-round versatility, whether anchoring the middle order or bowling tidy line and length with precision and consistency, offers stability. Their partnership could be critical in close matches, especially in mentoring younger players like Manisha Upadhyaya. Their ability to marshal resources in crunch moments could be the difference between progression and heartbreak.
Squad Composition
The selectors have struck a balance between continuity and innovation. Sabnam Rai’s recall bolsters the bowling attack, while Rubi Poddar’s wicketkeeping prowess and aggressive batting add firepower. Yet the spotlight shines brightest on teenage spinners Manisha Upadhyaya and Riya Sharma, who turned heads during Nepal’s preparatory camp with their control and fearlessness. Their inclusion signals a long-term vision, but can they handle the intensity of a continental qualifier?
Kabita Kunwar’s comeback
Speedster Kabita Kunwar’s return from injury is a subplot worth watching. Her ability to bowl at the death, honed during her rehabilitation, adds depth to a pace unit historically reliant on spin. Partnering with Sabnam Rai, she could exploit Thailand’s batting-friendly pitches with reverse swing and variations.
The Sita Rana Magar Conundrum
The omission of veteran all-rounder Sita Rana Magar raises eyebrows. A mainstay in Nepal’s setup for over a decade, her absence hints at a shift toward youth and agility. While selectors may argue that Upadhyaya and Sharma offer more attacking options, Magar’s experience in crunch games will be missed. This decision could spark debate: Is Nepal sacrificing stability for potential?
Bhairahawa Camp: Where Grit met Preparation
The gruelling three-week camp in Bhairahawa was a crucible for the squad. Players endured simulated match scenarios, focused on drills on power-hitting in the middle overs, and fitness regimes that tested mental resilience.
Tournament Stakes: Two Tickets to the Global Stage
The Asia Qualifier is a make-or-break event. With only two spots available for the Global Qualifier, Nepal faces stiff competition from powerhouses like the UAE and hosts Thailand. A top-two finish would not only validate Nepal’s investment in women’s cricket but also inspire a generation of young girls to take up the sport. For players like Upadhyaya, this is more than a tournament, it’s a chance to etch their names in history.
A Test of Growth and Ambition
Nepal’s squad reflects a bold fusion of experience and youth, a team unafraid to take calculated risks. While the absence of Sita Rana Magar looms large, the depth in spin and Kunwar’s revitalised pace attack offer hope. As the players board their flight to Thailand, they carry with them the aspirations of a nation eager to see its women shine on the global stage.
Cricket is a game of uncertainties, but Nepal’s mix of meticulous preparation and raw talent makes them a dark horse. If Barma’s leadership and the young spinners fire in unison, we might just witness a watershed moment for women’s cricket in Nepal.
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