Mountains to Multan: A look at Nepal's journey to their first-ever Asia Cup

Nepal did not drop even a single game in the ACC Premier Cup, the qualifying tournament for the Asia Cup 2023. At one point in time, they won 11 ODIs out of 12 to reach the Cricket World Qualifier 202

Nobody had heard of Nepal cricket until they appeared in the 2014 T20 World Cup. They were brilliant and beat more fancied teams, like Hong Kong and Afghanistan, to finish in their group, but still failed to qualify for the main round.

Nobody heard of them again until they punched above their weight and made it to the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifier by beating Namibia, USA, and UAE on their way to Zimbabwe. They could not go beyond the first round in that competition, unable to finish in the top three.

However, heads would turn again when they will feature in the Asia Cup for the first time ever.
 

 

.@CricketNep are all set for their Asia Cup debut.#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/bvHD54K0nW

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 29, 2023

The early beginnings of cricket in the Himalayan nation

Being close to the British empire, it was obvious that cricket like other British goods would also travel to Nepal. However, hilly terrain and torrential summer rainfall made it hard to play the game without much attention. Football however was an easy option, and the masses went towards it.

However, the Rana dynasty which ruled Nepal for a considerable period carried the game to the Himalayas professionally. However, it remained restricted to the aristocracy. According to Nepal Cricket’s official website, a significant change in Nepal’s cricket was made in 1961.

“In 1961 a significant effort was made to promote the game in the nation. The Cricket Association became a part of the National Sports Council, though it was limited only to Kathmandu Valley,” says the website.

When Nepal got ICC's Associate membership

From there, the team moved towards getting first the Affiliate membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1988 and then the Associate membership in 1996. They participated in various tournaments by the Asian Cricket Council and ICC, and their Under-19 teams even made it to the World Cup in 2001 and 2012.

First ever World Cup appearance in 2014 T20 World Cup

However, the biggest development that put Nepal cricket on the map was their qualification for the 2014 T20 World Cup. After finishing in the top two of the ACC T20 Cup 2013, Nepal made it to the 2014 T20 World Cup qualifier. In the qualifier, they won four matches and lost three in their group to finish in the top three and, therefore qualify for their maiden ICC Cup event.

Historic first appearance at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018

After making it to the 2014 T20 World Cup, Nepal cricket started progressing smoothly. Although they missed out on opportunities to qualify for the 2016, 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, they made it to the 2019 Cricket World Cup qualifier.

@iMRizwanPak interacts with the @CricketNep players in Multan.#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/MDcyO6oHFY

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 28, 2023

This happened after the team from the Himalayas won the 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Two by finishing at the top of the points table. The tournament included established Associate nations like Namibia, Canada, UAE, Kenya and Oman.

In the qualifier though, Nepal could not go past the first round, and their dream of playing their maiden World Cup was not fulfilled.

The unbelievable comeback in the race to the Cricket World Cup qualifier 2023

Nepal did exceedingly well in the ICC CWC League Two, winning 11 out of their last 12 games to rally to the third spot and secure a straight qualification to the CWC Qualifier. The men from the mountains won only 19 out of the 36 games in CWC League Two. It means that they had won just seven in their first 24 matches. Nepal pipped Namibia by just one point as both the teams had 19 wins from 36 games, but because the Nepalese had a tie against the USA, they sailed through.

Winning the ACC premiership and qualifying for the first-ever Asia Cup

Having secured their place in the CWC Qualifier in March, Nepal continued their dominance in the ACC Premier Cup in April. It was the qualifying event for Asia Cup 2023. Nepal, determined to play their first-ever Asia Cup, managed to sweep through without losing even a single game. It means they went to the Qualifier with 16 wins from their last 17 ODIs.

However, at the World Cup qualifiers, Nepal, despite some good showing, could win only one game in Round 1. They did not advance to the next qualification round but played two more games, winning one against UAE and losing one to Ireland.

Nepal Squad for Asia Cup 2023

Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish GC, Shyam Dhakal, Sundeep Jora, Kishore Mahato and Arjun Saud.

Nepal Asia Cup 2023 schedule

Date	Against	Time (IST)	Venue
30-Aug	Pakistan	3:00 PM	Multan Cricket Stadium
4-Sep	India	3:00 PM	Pallekele Cricket Stadium

Nepal best playing 11

Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Rohit Paudel (c), Aarif Sheikh, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi.