The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced their squad for the inaugural ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy, set to be held in Rwanda, from April 18 to May 1, as they look to build momentum following a challenging campaign in the recent global qualifiers.
Led by captain Indu Barma, Nepal will head into the five-team tournament aiming to gain crucial international exposure against teams from across different regions. The squad features a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, with Puja Mahato named vice-captain.
Nepal Women’s Squad:
Indu Barma (C), Puja Mahato (VC), Bindu Rawal, Samjhana Khadka, Rubi Poddar, Kabita Joshi, Kabita Kunwar, Riya Sharma, Roma Thapa, Suman Bist, Anu Kadayat, Manisha Upadhyaya, Rubina Chhetri, Rachana Chaudhary.
The tournament will be played at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium and will include teams from five ICC development regions — Rwanda (Africa), USA (Americas), Nepal (Asia), Italy (Europe), and Vanuatu (East Asia-Pacific). It forms part of the International Cricket Council’s broader push to strengthen pathways for associate nations, particularly with the expansion of the Women’s T20 World Cup to 16 teams by 2030.
Nepal head into the competition after a mixed outing in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, where they managed just one win in four matches. Their campaign began with a defeat against Thailand, where the batting unit struggled to build partnerships despite a steady start, eventually falling short while defending their target. In their second outing, Nepal showed improvement but were unable to chase down a modest target, with the middle order unable to capitalise on a solid platform.
Their lone victory came against Zimbabwe, where Nepal produced one of their most disciplined performances of the tournament. The bowling unit restricted Zimbabwe to a below-par total, before the batters chased it down with composure. Puja Mahato played a key role in that match, anchoring the innings with a steady knock to guide the team home. However, inconsistency continued to hamper their progress. In their final group-stage fixture, Nepal were set a target of 140 but were bowled out for just 68 runs, underlining the batting frailties that plagued their campaign and ultimately led to their early exit. The team’s inability to convert starts into substantial totals or execute chases consistently, however, proved to be the defining factor in their campaign.
The upcoming Challenge Trophy now presents an opportunity for Nepal to address those shortcomings. With a structured schedule and multiple matches over a two-week period, the tournament offers valuable game time, something often limited for associate sides. The cross-regional format will also expose players to unfamiliar conditions and varied playing styles, which is expected to aid their development.
Captain Indu Barma and Puja Mahato will be central to Nepal’s campaign, contributing both as leaders and strong middle-order batters. The experience of players like Rubina Chhetri and Kabita Kunwar is expected to provide stability, while younger members of the squad will be keen to make an impression on the international stage. The tournament is a chance to rebuild confidence, refine combinations, and take a step forward in their pursuit of greater consistency in global competitions.
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.