By Nepal is quickly rising as a major power in international cricket, but whether it will be the “next big nation” depends on a number of things.
Nepal has made significant success in both ODI and T20 formats, winning the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 and maintaining a strong home victory streak of 15 consecutive ODIs, one of the best in men’s ODI history. The team has had noteworthy performances against established sides, including a narrow victory over Scotland in June 2025 and a clean sweep of Canada in early 202412.
Challenges and Limitations.
- Nepal remains ranked 18th in the ICC ODI Championship as of late 2024 and has yet to qualify for the senior Cricket World Cup. Nepal has struggled to get past the group stages in global events, demonstrating that while the team is competitive, it has yet to match top-tier nations consistently. Nepal continues to lag behind established cricketing nations in terms of infrastructure, domestic league growth, and player depth.
International Recognition and Opportunities
- Nepal’s increasing popularity and competitive spirit have resulted in historic series, like the impending T20I series against the West Indies in September 2025. The fervor of Nepali fans, as well as the visibility of players such as Sandeep Lamichhane and Rohit Paudel, have helped to raise the sport’s profile in Nepal.
Nepal is one of the most promising young cricket nations, with good recent performances, a devoted fan base, and growing possibilities to face elite teams. To be regarded as the “next big nation” in cricket, Nepal needs to improve its consistency, infrastructure, and performance in key ICC competitions. The base is solid, and the trend is upward, but sustained success at the top levels remains a work in progress.
