The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has officially unveiled its 15-member national women's squad that will compete for a spot in the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. The team, led by experienced captain Rubina Chhetry, is set to participate in the crucial ICC Women's T20 Global Qualifiers scheduled for later this year.
Nepal's Squad Composition and Leadership
Rubina Chhetry will captain the side, bringing her wealth of experience to the forefront of Nepal's qualifying campaign. The vice-captaincy duties have been entrusted to the talented all-rounder Indu Barma, whose performances will be pivotal. The squad features a mix of seasoned players and promising newcomers, aiming to create a balanced unit capable of taking on the global challenge.
The full 15-player roster includes: Rubina Chhetry (Captain), Indu Barma (Vice-Captain), Kajal Shrestha, Kabita Kunwar, Sita Rana Magar, Ashmina Karmacharya, Puja Mahato, Samjhana Khadka, Sony Pakhrin, Kritika Marasini, Dolly Bhatta, Sangita Rai, Kabita Joshi, Bindu Rawal, and Apsari Begam. The selection committee, headed by Durga Raj Pathak, has placed confidence in this group to deliver strong results.
The Road to the 2026 T20 World Cup
The ICC Women's T20 Global Qualifiers represent a critical pathway to the premier tournament in 2026. Nepal will need to finish among the top teams in their qualifying group to secure a historic berth in the World Cup. The exact dates and venue for the qualifiers are yet to be finalized by the International Cricket Council, but the Nepali team is expected to begin intensive preparations shortly.
This announcement underscores the growing emphasis on and development of women's cricket in Nepal. CAN has been actively working to provide more structure and exposure to its women's team, and this global qualifier presents a significant opportunity to showcase their progress on an international stage.
Team Management and Strategic Outlook
Alongside the player squad, the team will be supported by a dedicated management group. The board has appointed coaches and support staff tasked with fine-tuning the team's strategy and skills ahead of the high-pressure tournament. The focus will likely be on building competitive batting depth and versatile bowling options to adapt to different conditions and opponents.
The selection of both experienced campaigners and fresh faces indicates a strategy that values current form and future potential. All eyes will be on captain Rubina Chhetry and vice-captain Indu Barma to lead from the front and inspire the team to perform above their rankings. The journey will be tough, but it marks a crucial step for Nepali women's cricket.
