Nepal's National Cricket Team Unveils New Jersey Ahead of T20 Series in Australia
Nepal's New Cricket Jersey Launch
On August 10, Kathmandu witnessed the unveiling of the new jersey for Nepal's national men's cricket team, just before their departure for the Top End T20 series in Australia.
During a special ceremony held on Sunday evening, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) introduced its new sponsor and showcased the team's fresh jersey.
CAN has entered into a three-year sponsorship deal with NAASA Securities, valued at approximately USD 544,614, marking them as the primary sponsor for the national team. Their logo will be prominently displayed on the front of the new jersey, representing a commitment to fostering cricket's growth in Nepal.
Officials from CAN expressed that this partnership will provide essential funding for infrastructure, training, and grassroots initiatives.
Chatur Bahadur Chand, President of the Cricket Association of Nepal, remarked, “The Nepali cricket sector has progressed significantly due to collective efforts; following the appointment of a new coach, we are gearing up for our first event, the Top End T20 Series. This series will serve as crucial preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers in Oman, starting on October 7, where we will compete against strong teams.”
The new kit reflects Nepal's identity, maintaining the traditional red and blue color scheme while incorporating modern design elements. It features the national flag on both shoulders and imagery of Mount Everest and the one-horned rhinoceros, merging heritage with a contemporary competitive look.
The Nepali men's national cricket team is scheduled to leave for Australia on August 11, 2025, to participate in the Top End T20 Series in Darwin from August 14 to 24. This series is a vital warm-up for the T20 World Cup Qualifiers, where Nepal aims to secure a place on the global stage.
During the event, national team coach Stuart Law discussed the team's preparations following their training stint in India.
“We had a pre-build-up of two weeks in Pune, India, followed by a 12-day training period in Nepal, although weather conditions posed challenges. The boys have been well-prepared, with six intense T20 matches lined up against some of the top teams, including Pakistan and Bangladesh. This is a significant step for us as we build towards the World Cup qualifiers in October,” the head coach stated.
This marks the first time Nepal is participating in the annual cricket tournament organized by Australia's Northern Territory. The 16-member squad is captained by Rohit Kumar Paudel, with Dipendra Singh Airee, the world's second-best T20I all-rounder, serving as vice-captain.
The squad for the Australian tour includes Aasif Sheikh, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Gulshan Kumar Jha, Aarif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Rupesh Singh, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Karan KC, Rijan Dhakal, and Lokesh Bam.
“We are embarking on our Australia tour, with all these matches serving as preparation for the T20 World Cup. The teams we will face in Australia are formidable, including those from the Big Bash and Bangladesh's A team. We believe this will be an excellent build-up as we approach the T20 World Cup qualifiers. Every team member is in good shape, and our recent 15-day camp in Bangalore was beneficial. We are optimistic about qualifying in the upcoming T20 qualifiers,” Paudel shared during the event.
The tournament will take place in Darwin from August 14 to 24, featuring 11 teams. Nepal will be the only team sending its senior squad, while Pakistan and Bangladesh will field their 'A' teams.
Chicago Kingsmen, the champions of the 2024 Minor League Cricket in the USA, will also participate, alongside the NT Strike representing the hosts. The remaining six teams are the Academy Squads from franchises competing in the Big Bash League: Hobart Hurricanes, Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, and ACT Comets.
Each team will play six matches in the league stage. Nepal's opening match is against the hosts, NT Strike, at DXC Arena on August 15. Following that, they will compete against Bangladesh, Melbourne Stars, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, and Pakistan on August 16, 18, 19, 20, and 22, respectively.