ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour to Visit Nepal Sparks Sports’ Enthusiasm

The International Cricket Council (ICC) brought the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy to Nepal from January 5 to 7, a move that was previously expected to generate widespread excitement among cricket fans across the country. The three-day tour forms part of the ICC’s global trophy tour ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) confirmed Nepal’s inclusion in the trophy tour, although the detailed route and full schedule were initially kept undisclosed. The ICC trophy tour is a biennial initiative designed to promote the tournament and engage fans in participating and associate cricket nations. Alongside Nepal, the trophy tour is also scheduled to visit India, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Mongolia.

During its stay in Nepal, the trophy was showcased at several iconic locations. Those included Pokhara on January 6 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm the same day, Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on January 7, allowing cricket fans and the general public to witness the prestigious symbol of global T20 cricket up close.

The trophy was formally unveiled at Sheetal Niwas in Kathmandu, where President Ramchandra Paudel described the visit of the T20 World Cup trophy as a proud moment for Nepal. He expressed gratitude to the ICC for bringing the trophy to the country, noting that such initiatives significantly boost enthusiasm and interest in cricket among Nepali supporters.

Nepal is set to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the third time. The national team has been placed in Group C, alongside strong cricketing nations including West Indies, England, Bangladesh, and Italy. Notably, Nepal will face England and Italy for the first time in T20 World Cup history. All of Nepal’s group-stage matches will be played in Mumbai, India. The 20 teams participating in the tournament have been divided into four groups.

Rohit Paudel will lead Nepal’s 15-member squad in the upcoming World Cup. At just 23, Paudel has emerged as one of Nepal’s most composed and tactically aware cricketers, playing a key role in the team’s recent progress on the international stage. His leadership and all-round abilities are expected to be central to Nepal’s campaign in the tournament.

The ICC T20 World Cup trophy tour in Nepal is widely seen as a recognition of the country’s growing presence in international cricket and a timely boost for fan engagement ahead of the global tournament.