Kathmandu: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier is set to begin in Nepal from January 18, with the national women’s cricket team aiming to secure a historic first-ever berth at the T20 World Cup.
The tournament will be held at the Tribhuvan University (TU) Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, where Nepal will enjoy home advantage in all its group-stage matches. Having qualified for the Global Qualifier for the first time by progressing through the Asia Qualifier, the Nepali team has intensified preparations through training camps and practice matches.
Nepal has been placed in a group with Thailand, the Netherlands, Scotland and Zimbabwe. According to the schedule released by the Cricket Association of Nepal, Nepal will play all four of its group matches at the TU Cricket Ground. The team will open its campaign against Thailand on Magh 4 (January 18), followed by matches against the Netherlands on Magh 8, Zimbabwe on Magh 10 and Scotland on Magh 12, all in the morning sessions.
From the group stage, the top three teams from each of the two groups will advance to the Super Six, with the top four teams overall earning qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Nepal has already announced its final 15-member squad under the captaincy of Indu Barma. The team features a strong contingent of all-rounders, along with a blend of youth and experience. Veteran players such as Sita Rana Magar, Indu Barma and Rubina Chhetri have been joined by emerging talents including Pooja Mahato, who led Nepal at the U-19 Women’s World Cup.
With the tournament being staged on home soil, expectations are high as Nepal looks to make history by qualifying for the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time.
