Nepal captain Rohit Paudel urges more regular fixtures against Full Member nations to help his side gain experience and grow at the highest level

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Nepal captain Rohit Paudel has reiterated the need for his team to play more regularly against Full Member nations, stating that Nepal have yet to receive the exposure they expected after their impressive performances at recent ICC events. Despite pushing eventual finalists South Africa to the brink at the 2024 T20 World Cup, Nepal have faced only one Test-playing nation since then, a three-match T20I series against West Indies in Sharjah in September 2025.

Paudel believes the lack of consistent opportunities against top-ranked sides has slowed Nepal’s progress. Speaking ahead of Nepal’s match against Italy, he said the team did not gain the level of experience they had hoped for following the 2024 World Cup. He stressed that competing against strong teams is essential for testing skills, handling pressure situations, and accelerating development at the international level.

The Nepal skipper added that even one or two series a year against elite opposition could make a significant difference. He hopes the scenario changes after the ongoing T20 World Cup, allowing Nepal to regularly challenge themselves against established cricketing nations and prove their competitiveness on the global stage.

Paudel also highlighted how hosting major teams such as Australia, England, or India in Nepal could boost the country’s cricketing profile. He said such tours would showcase Nepal’s talent to the world, help grow the sport domestically, and contribute to the globalisation of cricket. According to him, Nepal have emerged stronger in the 2026 World Cup compared to previous editions, building on lessons learned from past campaigns.

Nepal’s narrow defeat against England in Mumbai, where they fell just short while chasing 185, was another sign of their growing confidence. Paudel said that although the loss was disappointing, the performance against one of the tournament favourites reinforced belief within the squad. He noted that the team has improved its planning and is now focused on executing those plans under pressure, drawing on experience gained from playing in front of large crowds.

The close contests against South Africa in 2024 and England in 2026 have also brought increased attention to Nepal cricket. Paudel acknowledged the praise from former players and experts, including Dale Steyn, and hopes the team can continue delivering strong performances to maintain that momentum.

All of Nepal’s matches in the current World Cup are scheduled at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, a factor Paudel sees as a major advantage. He believes familiar conditions and a pitch that suits Nepal’s style of play could work in their favour as they aim to convert competitive performances into historic victories.