Cardiac Kids, Big Stage, Bigger Dreams

Nepal begin their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign at 3:15 p.m. today, February 8, with a daunting opener against England at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium.

It is Nepal’s third appearance at the Men’s T20 World Cup. The Rhinos arrive with a reputation for drama. Known for making matches uncomfortably tight and repeatedly pushing games to the brink, they have earned the enduring tag of the “cardiac kids.”

In the previous edition, Nepal lost by a single run to South Africa, who went on to finish runners-up. They also fell 21 runs short against Bangladesh, despite bowling them out for just 106.

Yet, a place beyond the group stage has remained elusive.

That is the barrier Nepal hope to break this time.

Support will not be in short supply. Nepali fans, known for travelling in numbers, are expected to pack sections of Wankhede.

Confidence within the camp has grown. Two seasons of the Nepal Premier League, a franchise-based T20 tournament held in Kathmandu, have sharpened domestic depth. A historic series win over the West Indies in the UAE in September 2025 has further lifted belief.

Nepal are placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Scotland and Italy. Twenty teams, divided into four groups, are competing for the title. The top two from each group will advance to the Super Eight.

Nepal will play all four group matches at the same venue. After today’s opener, they face Italy in a day-night contest on February 12, before taking on the West Indies on February 15. Their final group match, against Scotland, will be played under lights on February 17.

The squad entered the tournament in good rhythm. Nepal won both warm-up matches, against the UAE and Canada.

Much will depend on experience. Spinner Sandeep Lamichhane remains Nepal’s biggest match-winner. Pacer Sompal Kami, the only player to represent Nepal in all three World Cups, brings control and calm. All-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, electric in the field and ruthless with the bat and ball, could tilt tight games. Captain Rohit Paudel’s composure at the crease will be equally crucial.

Among the squad are Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahmad, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla and Lokesh Bam.

Nepal remained winless in the last World Cup. But, on their debut in 2014 in Bangladesh, they defeated Afghanistan and Hong Kong under Paras Khadka, now secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal.

This time, the ambition is clear.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, skipper Paudel made no attempt to temper expectations. The aim, he said, is to enter the Super Eight.

For a team used to defying odds, that target feels less like a dream and more like a challenge waiting to be taken.