Nepal is emerging as one of cricket’s most promising Associate nations, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) believing the Himalayan country could eventually join the sport’s top tier.
With a population of around 30 million, Nepal has built a reputation for passionate fans, improving performances and growing domestic infrastructure. ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta believes the country has the potential to follow the paths of Afghanistan and even New Zealand.
ICC Sees Huge Potential in Nepal
Gupta said Nepal could become “tomorrow’s Afghanistan” or potentially “tomorrow’s New Zealand”, highlighting the rapid development of its elite player pool.
He pointed to Nepal’s regular progress through ICC qualification pathways and its growing presence at major international tournaments.
According to Gupta, Nepal’s potential is not primarily commercial but is driven by its improving cricket standards and enormous fan following.
Passionate Fans Driving Cricket’s Growth
Cricket has developed an exceptionally strong following in Nepal, with international matches often becoming major national events.
The ICC has invested nearly $5 million in Nepal’s cricket development over the past two years and has also awarded the country co-hosting rights for next year’s Under-19 Women’s World Cup.
Gupta described Nepal’s passionate supporters as one of the country’s biggest strengths.
He recalled the large contingent of Nepali fans at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium during the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Nepal defeated Scotland by seven wickets.
T20 World Cup Qualification Changed Nepal Cricket
Nepal’s qualification for the 2014 T20 World Cup marked a major turning point.
In a cricketing region dominated by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the appearance gave Nepali fans a team of their own to support on the global stage.
The country later secured One-Day International status in 2018, further accelerating the popularity of cricket.
Former Nepal captain and Cricket Association of Nepal secretary Paras Khadka said qualification helped create national pride and gave people greater belief in the team.
Nepal Premier League Provides Financial Boost
The Nepal Premier League (NPL) has also become an important part of the country’s cricket development.
After two seasons, the T20 competition has generated valuable revenue that is being reinvested into cricket.
Khadka described the league as a major commercial and entertainment platform, with the potential to provide funding for player development programmes and infrastructure.
The competition has been promoted as the “Festival of Himalayas”, reflecting its growing importance to the country’s sporting culture.
Performance Remains the Biggest Priority
Despite Nepal’s passionate fan base and growing commercial opportunities, Khadka believes consistent performances are essential for the sport to continue growing.
Nepal has shown that it can compete against established teams in the T20 format, coming close to major upsets against England and South Africa at the World Cup in India.
Khadka stressed that playing against stronger opponents is crucial for improving both individual players and the national team.
Nepal Wants More Matches Against Test Nations
Greater international exposure is now a key priority for Nepal.
The country’s cricket board is in discussions to arrange bilateral series against Test-playing nations, giving players more opportunities to compete against higher-ranked opposition.
Khadka said those discussions could materialise soon and provide an important platform for the team’s next stage of development.
Women’s and Red-Ball Cricket Also Expanding
Nepal is also working to strengthen the structure of the game beyond men’s T20 cricket.
The country has introduced player contracts for both men and women, expanded red-ball cricket and continued efforts to improve its cricketing infrastructure.
The development of women’s cricket is also receiving increased attention, particularly with Nepal set to co-host the Under-19 Women’s World Cup.
Afghanistan Provides a Blueprint
Afghanistan’s rapid rise from Associate cricket to Test status in 2017 provides an important model for Nepal.
Like Afghanistan, Nepal has developed a strong cricket culture despite not being one of the sport’s major commercial markets.
Khadka believes there is a clear blueprint for Nepal to follow.
“There’s a blueprint for sure. We definitely would like to follow the same journey.”
Can Nepal Reach Cricket’s Top Table?
Nepal still has significant ground to cover before it can match the world’s leading cricket nations.
However, its growing fan base, improving players, domestic T20 league, investment in infrastructure and increasing international exposure have created a strong foundation.
If Nepal can maintain its progress and secure more opportunities against elite teams, the Himalayan nation could become the next major success story in Associate cricket.