Nepal Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Full Player List & Plan

If you searched “Nepal Squad for T20 World Cup 2026”, you want two things straight away: who’s in, and what the plan is. Here you go. Nepal have named a 15-man squad led by Rohit Paudel, with Dipendra Singh Airee as vice-captain, and Sandeep Lamichhane right at the centre of it.

And the schedule twist that changes everything: Nepal don’t have to live out of suitcases in the group stage. All four Group C matches are at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Feb 8, 12, 15 and 17.

Highlights

• Same ground, four games: Nepal’s entire Group C campaign is a Wankhede residency (Feb 8–17).

• Leadership is clear: Rohit Paudel captains, Dipendra vice-captains, Lamichhane leads the bowling narrative.

• No more “happy to be here”: Nepal went winless in 2024. This squad is picked to change that story.

The squad announcement that actually matters

The tournament runs February 7 to March 8, with 20 teams across India and Sri Lanka. Nepal’s part of this is simple on paper and brutal in reality: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy. Four games. One venue. No soft landings.

Also, let’s clear up the lazy framing you’ll see floating around: this isn’t Nepal’s “first World Cup”. Nepal played the 2024 edition and finished with no wins from four games. So 2026 isn’t a debut. It’s a response.

Call it a historic debut if you want, but only in the Mumbai sense: Nepal’s first proper World Cup stretch with Wankhede as home base, in front of a crowd that will feel… very, very Nepali.

Nepal Squad Players List

Here’s the Nepal Squad Players List exactly as announced (15 players).

That’s your Nepal 15. The rest is selection meaning and match-up reality.

Rohit Paudel Captain Nepal: what changes under him?

Paudel being captain isn’t news. But this tournament will judge his tempo control more than his toss calls.

Because at Wankhede, you don’t “build slowly”. You either keep up with the pitch… or you’re 20 short and you know it by the 14th over.

Paudel’s best version as a T20 captain is:

• calm when early wickets fall

• proactive with match-ups (especially spin usage)

• ruthless about batting intent when the platform is set

If Nepal get that Paudel, they’re annoying to play against. If they get the Paudel who goes into survival mode because “we must bat 20 overs”, the tournament will feel long.

Sandeep Lamichhane T20 WC: the whole plot runs through him

Nepal’s spin identity has always had a name and a face, and in 2026 it’s still Lamichhane. The squad announcement itself basically points to him as the middle-overs wicket option.

Here’s the tightrope though: Wankhede is not a free-spin venue. When the ball comes nicely onto the bat, even good leg-spin can disappear if you miss your lengths by a foot.

So Lamichhane’s success won’t be about “turn”. It’ll be about:

• pace changes (the almost-not-a-googly-googly)

• attacking the stumps when batters are looking to hit with the breeze

• reading who’s actually trying to rotate vs who’s loading for six

If he takes wickets, Nepal can beat anybody in a single match. If he goes for 40 with no breakthroughs, Nepal’s margin shrinks fast.

The Wankhede factor: why Nepal’s Mumbai residency is a gift and a trap

The schedule gives Nepal a real edge: no travel churn. Same dressing room. Same sightlines. Same outfield pace. Same dew patterns.

But Wankhede also exposes teams with two classic weaknesses:

1. death bowling without elite yorker execution

2. batting orders that stall between overs 7–14

Nepal can’t afford either.

What Nepal should do at Wankhede (practically):

• Treat the Powerplay like a negotiation, not a brawl. Wickets lost early here cost you 25–30 runs later.

• Keep one over of “match-up spin” in the Powerplay up your sleeve. Not every day, not every game. But as a disruption tactic.

• Decide the finisher roles before the tournament starts. No “we’ll see who feels good today” stuff. Wankhede punishes indecision.

This is where “Team Management” matters more than vibes. Your playing XI and roles need to be boringly clear.

Nepal Group C Fixtures

All four matches are at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

And yes, people will search “Nepal Mumbai Wankhede Match” like it’s a single event. It’s not. It’s four shots at the same target.

Match-by-match: what Nepal actually need

England (Feb 8): survive the first punch

England’s default mode is to turn your best bowler into “just another over”. Nepal’s goal isn’t to out-muscle them.

It’s to keep the game alive until the last five overs.

That means:

• bowl at the stumps early (wide pace disappears fastest at Wankhede)

• protect the short boundary with smart fields, not hope

• if chasing 190+, don’t pretend it’s 160. Start with intent.

A heavy loss here can poison the group because NRR becomes a silent enemy. Nepal’s first job is to avoid a blowout.

Italy (Feb 12): must win, and win properly

This is the one match Nepal must bank. It’s not enough to scrape over the line with one ball left if your NRR is in pain.

If Nepal bat first, they should aim for a total that forces Italy to take risks by the 10th over. If Nepal chase, chase hard. No drama.

West Indies (Feb 15): the upset window

This is where Lamichhane becomes a storyline, because West Indies batting is often a debate between power and patience. If Nepal can take early wickets and then throw spin into a middle order looking to clear ropes, the game becomes real.

If West Indies batters get set, Wankhede turns into their playground. Nepal must hunt wickets, not just “control”.

Bangladesh (Feb 17): the match Nepal fans will circle in red

Bangladesh-Nepal always carries a bit of edge, because Nepal genuinely believe they can out-bowl them. This one could become a straight shootout for qualification depending on earlier results.

Bangladesh usually test your discipline more than your bravery. Nepal’s big danger is a classic: doing the hard work with the ball, then panicking in the chase.

Key players: who decides Nepal’s ceiling?

I’m keeping this tight, because long “profiles” are where articles start sounding like brochures.

1) Rohit Paudel

He decides Nepal’s batting shape. If he soaks pressure without killing intent, Nepal post/chase competitive totals.

2) Dipendra Singh Airee

He’s the accelerator and the stabiliser rolled into one, and the squad announcement explicitly backs him as vice-captain for a reason. Nepal can’t waste him at “too late, too many” entry points.

3) Sandeep Lamichhane

Already covered. If he takes wickets at Wankhede, Nepal become a problem.

4) Sompal Kami + Karan KC

This duo defines Nepal’s pace outcomes. Early swing, hard lengths, and then death overs under dew. If they hold their nerve, Nepal can defend decent totals. If they miss yorkers by inches, it’ll be a six-hitting contest.

A likely playing XI (and how it flexes)

Nepal’s best XI will depend on whether they want an extra seamer or extra spin control at Wankhede. But the spine should look like:

• Top order anchored by Kushal Bhurtel and company

• Aasif Sheikh as keeper-bat

• Paudel and Airee as the middle overs brain + engine

• Lamichhane as strike spin

• Sompal and Karan leading pace

The flex pick is the balance between batting depth vs bowling options. Against England and West Indies, you likely want the extra bowling cushion. Against Italy, you want the most ruthless batting group you can field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Nepal’s first World Cup?

No. Nepal played the 2024 T20 World Cup and went winless in the group stage. The “historic” angle in 2026 is the Wankhede-based campaign.

Who is Nepal’s captain for T20 World Cup 2026?

Rohit Paudel is captain, and Dipendra Singh Airee is vice-captain.

Is Sandeep Lamichhane in the squad?

Yes, he’s named in the 15.

Where are Nepal’s Group C matches being played?

All four are at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

When is Nepal’s first match?

Nepal open against England on February 8 at Wankhede.

Who are Nepal playing in Group C?

England, Italy, West Indies, and Bangladesh.

Final word: what would “success” actually look like?

Nepal don’t need a fairytale. They need a clean, grown-up tournament.

Beat Italy. Take at least one of Bangladesh or West Indies. Keep England damage limited. That’s the realistic path to a late-group scramble.

And because all roads run through Mumbai, Nepal’s biggest advantage is repetition. They’ll learn Wankhede faster than opponents flying in and out.

The rest is nerve. If Nepal hold theirs, this Nepal Squad for T20 World Cup 2026 won’t be remembered for “participation”. It’ll be remembered for finally taking a big name down under bright lights.