SATV, Kathmandu, Sept. 15: The Nepali national cricket team returned home triumphantly on Sunday after lifting the ACC Men’s Premier Cup for the second time.

Nepal is participating in back-to-back tournaments as it will be competing in the 20th Asian Games starting from 19th September. Nepal has been placed in Group A and will play against Afghanistan, an emerging cricket powerhouse, on 25th September and the host nation Japan on 26th September.

Upon arrival to Kathmandu from Malaysia on Sunday, Captain Sandeep Lamichhane, who was named Player of the Tournament, said, “We will rest for a day or two and then begin preparations immediately. The Asia Cup is around the corner, but before that, the Asian Games are also a major target for us.”

Nepal made a historic debut in the 2023 edition of the Men’s Asia Cup, setting a new landmark in the country’s cricketing history in Asia’s top flight. The whole nation celebrated in jubilation after qualifying by winning the first edition of ACC Men’s Premier Cup, the only golden ticket to the competition.

With a 44-run victory over arch-rivals UAE in the 2026 ACC Premier Cup final held in Kuala Lumpur, Nepal has once again secured its place in the 2027 Asia Cup.

As Asian Games approaches, there is a higher possibility that Nepal may meet Asia’s giants: Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India.

If Nepal finish as group winners, they will meet six-time Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka. With Sri Lanka having won silver medal thrice in the Asian Games, it will be tough for Nepal to advance to the semi-finals.

However, Nepal is scheduled to play against an even tougher opponent India if they qualify as the runners-up of Group A. The 20th Asian Games is likely to be a rehearsal for Nepal’s much anticipated performance on the biggest stage.

Although the matches in the Asian Games are played in T20 format, any assessment of Nepal’s upcoming Asia Cup run must be measured against the baseline established during their inaugural 2023 appearance. In their debut edition, Nepal was placed in Group A alongside South Asia’s two fierce powerhouses: India and Pakistan.

Nepal’s previous meeting against Pakistan

In the opening match of Asia Cup 2023, Nepal met the two-time champions Pakistan (2000 and 2012). Pakistan posted 342 at the expense of 6 wickets. Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed scored 151 and 109 respectively, displaying their talismanic performance that ultimately led to a landslide victory by 238 runs.

Meanwhile, Nepal started well with the ball, reducing Pakistan to 124 for four wickets, but slumped in the second innings to 104 all out in 23.4 overs. Sompal Kami scored 28 runs off 46 balls for Nepal.

Nepal vs India

Nepal exhibited a much-polished performance against nine-time champions India, the most successful team in the history of the Asia Cup. Facing a full-strength Indian bowling attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja, Nepal displayed remarkable composure. Nepal posted a competitive 230 runs in 48.2 overs.

Kushal Bhurtel (38 off 25) and Aasif Sheikh built a fierce 65-run opening stand against world-class pacers. Demonstrating patience and technicality, Aasif Sheikh posted 58 off 97 balls and setting a remarkable history by becoming the first Nepali batsman to score an international ODI half-century against India.

Similarly, Sompal Kami pounded 48 off 56 balls with two huge sixes pushing Nepal to 230. It was Nepal’s misfortune that heavy rain revised India's target to 147 in 23 overs, which India chased down without losing a wicket.

Although India won by 10 wickets, scoring 230 runs against India stood as a major achievement for an Associate nation on its tournament debut.

Where should Nepal work on ahead of Asian Games?

Nepal conceded more than 200 runs in the final 20 overs despite holding the run rate under control until the 30th over against Pakistan. If Nepal wants to fortify its defence, developing yorkers will be essential to make lofted boundary shots extremely difficult.

During the 2023 Asia Cup match against Pakistan, top-tier pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf wrecked Nepal’s batting lineup, causing rapid middle-order collapses. Nepal needs to maintain middle-order counter against high pace and spin. Building a disciplined partnership in the middle-order against world-class sides may come in handy.

Lapses in the outfield defence in the powerplay against India allowed top batters to settle. Although lapses in the outfield defense seemed relatively improved in the final against UAE in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup final, vigilant fielding inside the circle and taking half-chances are non-negotiable at the highest level.

Securing qualification for major regional events confirms that Nepal's 2023 Asia Cup appearance was not a one-time flash of brilliance, but the foundation of a rising cricketing nation.

However, transitioning from T20 to the much-demanding 50 overs will require bridging the gap between momentary flashes of brilliance and sharp tactical discipline.

If Nepal can improve its death bowling, fortify the middle order against top-tier bowling, and maintain top-level fielding standards, the 20th Asian Games could mark not another historic appearance, but the tournament where Nepal truly introduces itself on the international stage.