Nepal confirmed to play Top End T20 Series in Australia

Nepal have been officially confirmed as the first of four international teams set to compete in the 2025 Top End T20 Series, scheduled to take place in Darwin from August 14 to 24.

The tournament will serve as crucial preparation for Nepal as they aim to secure one of the three remaining spots for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka early next year. They will arrive in Darwin in early August, and are set to play a minimum of six T20 matches across three venues, DXC Arena, TIO Stadium, and Cazaly’s Arena.

"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 [to be held in Oman in October],” Cricket Association of Nepal secretary Paras Khadka said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"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," he said.

Earlier this year in March, Nepal appointed former Australia batter Stuart Law as their head coach. The team participated in a T20I tri-series against the Netherlands and Scotland in Glasgow under Law’s coaching, where they finished as runners-up.

After the Top End T20 Series in Darwin, Nepal are set to make more history by playing their first-ever bilateral T20I series against the West Indies. The series is scheduled to take place in Sharjah at the end of September.

"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," Northern Territory Cricket CEO, Gavin Dovey said.

The remaining participants and schedule of the Top End T20 series will be announced in the coming weeks.