Nepal opt to field first against England

KATHMANDU: Nepal have begun their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign by opting to field first against England after the defending champions won the toss and chose to bat.

The match, being played at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, marks another milestone moment for Nepali cricket as Sher Malla makes his international debut in this high-profile encounter.

A Big Stage, A Bigger Opportunity

For Nepal, competing in the T20 World Cup for the third time after navigating several ups and downs, today represents a major test and a proud occasion.

Facing two-time champions England in their opening match, Nepal kick off their World Cup journey at 3:15 PM Nepali time.

Nepal first featured in the T20 World Cup in 2014, famously defeating Hong Kong and Afghanistan.

However, in their second appearance in 2024, Nepal failed to register a win in three matches—despite pushing South Africa to the brink in a dramatic one-run defeat that drew global attention.

This time, Nepal will play four group matches and will be aiming for at least one major upset to keep their Super Eight hopes alive.

Their group also includes West Indies, another two-time champion, along with Italy and Scotland, making qualification a tough challenge.

Confidence, With Caution

Ahead of the World Cup, Nepal boosted confidence by defeating West Indies 2–1 in a UAE series, raising expectations of a surprise result.

However, it is worth noting that only two players from that West Indies squad feature in their current World Cup team.

As with any major tournament, the opening match carries special significance.

A win can provide crucial momentum, while even a strong performance—regardless of the result—will be closely watched and widely discussed.

New Faces and Experience Combined

Alongside Sher Malla, Arif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, and Nandan Yadav are playing in their first T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, captain Rohit Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, and Sandeep Lamichhane are featuring in the tournament for the second time.