Why did the ICC host the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier to Nepal?

The ICC has handed over the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier to the mountainous country Nepal. Nepal is like a small child in the cricket world. Nepal’s men’s cricket team has created a panic in world cricket with its performance in the last few years. However, the status of the women’s cricket team is not the same. Stadiums in Nepal are also not in line with international standards.

Despite this, the opportunity to organize qualifiers to Nepal shows the far -reaching thinking of the highest institution of cricket.

The Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier matches will be played in Lower Mulpani Cricket Stadium, two stadium in Mulpani, Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, also known as Mulpani Cricket Stadium and in Upper Mulpanani Cricket Stadium, known as Jayakumar Shah International Cricket Ground.

The Mulpanani Cricket Stadium has a capacity of 25,000, while the Jayakumar Shah International Cricket Ground has a capacity of 4,000. Connectivity by the airways and roadways of the stadium is good. In the past too, international matches have been held in both these stadiums.

The ICC’s decision to host Nepal’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier through these two stadiums can be based on many important points.

Jai Shah had resolved to strengthen cricket in small countries while assuming the chair of ICC President in 2024, organizing a qualifier in Nepal is proof of this. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup wants to promote the spread of cricket in South Asia through the 2026 qualifier. Women’s cricket in Asia is far behind in Europe.

Nepal Women’s Cricket is in an early stage. In such a situation, the T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier will change the attitude of women towards cricket not only in Nepal but also in other countries of South Asia and they will be serious about this game.

Due to the tension between India and Pakistan, any event between the two countries has to be shifted to UAE or Sri Lanka. If the qualifier was successfully held in Nepal, the ICC will have another venue, where at least big events of women’s cricket can be held.