The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) released its 2025 calendar, highlighting active schedules for both men’s and women’s teams with several international engagements. Women’s cricket development is a key focus, along with a significant men’s tour to Sri Lanka in preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers. Grassroots initiatives, including a National School Championship, are also planned.
On Saturday, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced its cricket calendar for 2025. Throughout the year, both the Nepali men’s and women’s senior teams will be actively engaged in various international fixtures. CAN Secretary Paras Khadka emphasized the organization’s commitment to advancing women’s cricket, stating, “This year will be a busy one for the women’s team, as we are doing our best to develop women’s cricket further.”
The women’s senior team is presently participating in a quadrangular series in Uganda, competing against teams from Namibia and Hong Kong. Following this, they are scheduled to tour Bhutan in April before heading to Thailand for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers in May and the Women’s Emerging Team Asia Cup in June. In October, a tri-series involving Nepal, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is confirmed. Subsequently, CAN will host a pentangular series in December, inviting Uganda, Namibia, UAE, and the Netherlands.
For the first time, CAN is set to organize a Women’s Elite Cup in October. Additionally, it is proposed that the women’s team may visit Sri Lanka in October, following the men’s team’s confirmed tour to Sri Lanka in July. This trip is intended as a preparatory camp for the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Oman in October. The men’s team will also visit India, Australia, and the UAE in August and September in preparation for these qualifiers.
Khadka remarked, “Our main priority for this year is to qualify for the World Cup and get as many points as possible in the CWC League 2.” In June, Nepal will participate in a CWC League 2 tri-series with Scotland and the Netherlands. The calendar further outlines that the player release and retention process, along with a mini auction for the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), will occur in June and August, respectively.
Khadka noted, “The date for the second NPL will be revealed once it is accepted by the International Cricket Council (ICC).” Additionally, CAN is preparing to organize a National School Championship targeting students who have completed the SEE examinations in May. Khadka reiterated the necessity for investment in grassroots cricket and encouraged collaboration with district and provincial bodies and stakeholders to promote the sport throughout the nation.
The Cricket Association of Nepal has laid out an ambitious cricket calendar for 2025, focusing significantly on both the men’s and women’s teams’ international engagements. Key initiatives include new tournaments for women, such as the Women’s Elite Cup, and a strong emphasis on grassroots development. The prioritization of World Cup qualifications underlines CAN’s commitment to elevating Nepal’s cricketing status on the global stage.
Original Source: kathmandupost.com
