Nepal will head to Australia’s Top End in August after being named as the first confirmed side for the 2025 Top End T20 Series, to be staged in Darwin from 14–24 August. The tournament gives Rohit Paudel’s squad a competitive stepping-stone before October’s regional qualifying event, where three places remain on offer for the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
The plan is straightforward. Arrive in early August, settle into Northern Territory conditions and play at least six T20s across DXC Arena, TIO Stadium and Cazaly’s Arena. Cricket Association of Nepal secretary Paras Khadka set the tone, saying, “We are excited and looking forward to participating in the Top End T20 Series. It presents a valuable opportunity to prepare with strong intent and focused practice ahead of our ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers [to be held in Oman in October].”
Khadka added that matches on hard, true Australian surfaces should sharpen Nepal’s batting rhythm and test a spin attack used to slow, turning pitches at home. “Competing against quality opponents in Australian conditions will provide our players with critical exposure, helping them better understand their game and grow as professional cricketers,” he said.
Stuart Law, the former Australia batter recruited as head coach in March, will use the tour to fine-tune combinations. His first assignment produced encouraging signs: a tri-series in Glasgow where Nepal split matches with Netherlands and Scotland and finished runners-up on net run-rate. Focus now shifts to the powerplay, an area Law believes can decide tight World Cup qualifiers.
After Darwin the itinerary remains busy. A maiden bilateral T20I series against West Indies has been pencilled in for Sharjah at the end of September, giving the squad further exposure to higher-ranked opposition.
Northern Territory Cricket chief executive Gavin Dovey expects healthy crowds. “We could not be more excited to welcome the Nepal national cricket team to the Northern Territory and Top End T20 Series for the first time,” he said. “Nepal has developed a fanatical following in their home country and among the Nepali diaspora, so we are delighted that all Nepalese eyes will be on the Northern Territory as we play a role in their cricketing journey.”
Organisers will announce the remaining three international teams and the full match schedule in the coming weeks.
