CAN bids farewell to Nepal cricket team for historic T20I series against West Indies

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) formally bid farewell to the national cricket team on Thursday ahead of their departure for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against the West Indies in Sharjah, beginning on September 27.

Nepal will fly to the UAE on Friday morning after securing their visas on Thursday, following some last-minute delays.

The farewell program was organized in Kathmandu, where CAN officials, coaches, and cricket supporters gathered to extend their best wishes to the players.

The 16-member squad announced earlier this week features a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters. Captain Rohit Paudel will lead the side, while star leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane is expected to play a crucial role with the ball.

Aadil Alam and Sandeep Jora have earned recalls following strong performances in recent series. Spinner Lalit Rajbanshi, who missed the Top End series in Australia due to personal reasons, also makes his return.

Paudel expressed confidence in his team's preparations and balance heading into the series.

"We are confident and positive for a series win. The last two years of exposure playing against Test nations has also brought good experience, and the team is balanced with the presence of Jora and Aadil Alam," Paudel said.

"Nepal team is a balanced, full-strength team. Let’s not forget we are playing against West Indies — we have a big responsibility and I expect a good result," Lamichhane remarked.

The three T20Is are set for September 27, 29, and 30 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, marking the first-ever bilateral series between Nepal and the West Indies.

Head coach Stuart Law, currently in Australia, will join the squad directly in Sharjah. In his absence, former captain Gyanendra Malla has been supervising training sessions.

After the West Indies series, Nepal will head to Oman to participate in the Asia-Pacific Qualifier for the T20 World Cup, a crucial pathway tournament for the 2026 edition of the event.