Northern Territory Cricket is thrilled to announce the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) as the first of four international teams locked in for the 2025 Top End T20 Series taking place in Darwin from 14-24 August.
The 18th ranked T20 Team in the world will arrive in Darwin in early August and use the Top End T20 Series as valuable preparation in their efforts to claim one of three remaining spots in next year’s 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Nepal, who recently announced former Australian batter Stuart Law as their new Head Coach, will play a minimum of 6 T20s at DXC Arena, TIO Stadium and Cazaly’s Arena.
The youngest T20 captain in world cricket, 22-year-old Rohit Paudel, will lead what is expected to be a full-strength squad, including leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane and one of the best fielders in world cricket, Dipendra Singh Airee.
Cricket in Nepal is absolutely booming with the country of 30 million people joining their Indian neighbours as a land of cricket lovers, becoming an ICC Associate Member in 1996 before qualifying for two T20 World Cups (2014, 2024).
Nepal recently completed a T20 Tri-Series against Scotland and the Netherlands, and have just announced a historic first ever bi-lateral T20 Series against the West Indies in September.
The visiting international team is expected to receive plenty of support from the Northern Territory’s local Nepalese community which over the last decade has grown by 750 percent to over 3000 people.
The Nepalese community is one of Australia’s fastest-growing migrant groups and ninth largest, with 180,000 Nepalese-born people currently living in Australia.
NT Cricket CEO, Gavin Dovey:
"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.
"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.
"The Top End T20 Series was created as a vehicle to market and promote the Northern Territory to a global audience, and the arrival of the Nepal National Team is yet another example of the power and scale of our winter cricket opportunity."
Cricket Association of Nepal Secretary, Paras Khadka:
"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.
"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."
A full 2025 Top End T20 Series Schedule and all teams participating will continue to be announced over the coming weeks.