Nepal’s journey to the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year will now take an important stop in Australia’s Northern Territory. The side has been named as the first participant of the Top End Series, which will be played in Darwin between August 14 and 24.
Nepal, who must battle eight other sides in the Asian Regional Finals in October to secure one of three spots in the World Cup next year, were given a bye to the Asia/EAP Regional Final because they participated in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup. Currently, they, along with Oman and Papua New Guinea, await the winners from sub-regional qualifiers to feature in the final round of the qualification process.
Australia’s Top End will prove to be a vital build-up for them before they head to Oman for the Regional Final.
“We are excited and looking forward to participating in the Top End T20 Series,” Cricket Association of Nepal secretary Paras Khadka said. “It presents a valuable opportunity to prepare with strong intent and focused practice ahead of our ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers [to be held in Oman in October].”
Nepal will play at least six T20I games in the Top End Series, set to be played across three stadiums: DXC Arena, TIO Stadium, and Cazaly’s Arena. The team will arrive in Darwin early in August to warm up before the tournament starts.
“Competing against quality opponents in Australian conditions will provide our players with critical exposure, helping them better understand their game and grow as professional cricketers,” Khadka said.
Nepal just ended a tri-nation series in Glasgow involving, besides them, Scotland and the Netherlands. They defeated the Netherlands to reach the final but were eventually outdone by the hosts. However, their heroics in the 2024 T20 World Cup really do make them strong contenders to make it to the World Cup. South Africa, the eventual finalists, barely escaped with a one-run win against them in Kingstown.
Exposure to other big teams, especially in bilaterals, will give them the necessary confidence to prove their mettle in the global competition.
For now, though, Nepal must focus on what lies immediately ahead of them. After the Darwin series and before the Qualifiers in Oman, they are set to play their first-ever bilateral T20I series against the West Indies in Sharjah later in September. The series will see both teams playing three shortest-format games against each other.
Northern Territory Cricket has welcomed Nepal enthusiastically to the tournament.
“We could not be more excited to welcome the Nepal national cricket team to the Northern Territory and Top End T20 Series for the first time,” Northern Territory Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey said. “Nepal has developed a fanatical following in their home country and among the Nepali diaspora, so we are delighted that all Nepalese eyes will be on the Northern Territory as we play a role in their cricketing journey.”
The remaining teams for the Top End Series will be announced in the next few weeks.
