Nepal Cricket Team Cleared for T20I Series Against West Indies After Visa Hurdle
The Nepal cricket team has received visas for their much-awaited three-match T20I series against West Indies in Sharjah, ending days of uncertainty that had gripped players and fans alike.
According to Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) spokesperson Chhumbi Lama, the team will now fly to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, September 22, after a delay caused by visa issues. Originally scheduled to travel on Friday, Nepal’s departure was held up as the UAE had temporarily suspended tourist and work visas for Nepali citizens following political unrest.
Relief for Players and Fans
The clearance means Nepal will feature in all three scheduled matches, to be played on September 27, 29, and 30 at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The series has been named the ‘Unity Cup’ by CAN, dedicated to lives lost during recent youth-led protests in Nepal.
Staff Already in Position
Head coach Stuart Law has already reached Dubai, while fitness trainer Abdul Sattar will link up from India. With the full coaching unit ready and players cleared for travel, the focus now shifts to preparations on the field.
Importance of the Series
The series against West Indies is crucial for Nepal as it will serve as fine-tuning ahead of the T20 World Cup Asia–Pacific Qualifiers in Oman. After wrapping up in Sharjah, Nepal will fly directly to Oman for the qualifiers, before returning to the UAE for ICC Cricket League 2 fixtures against the UAE and the USA.
Nepal Squad for T20I Series vs West Indies
- Rohit Paudel (c)
- Dipendra Airee (vc)
- Aasif Sheikh
- Sandeep Lamichhane
- Kushal Bhurtel
- Lokesh Bam
- Kushal Malla
- Md Adil Alam
- Aarif Sheikh
- Sundeep Jora
- Karan KC
- Nandan Yadav
- Gulshan Jha
- Lalit Rajbanshi
- Sompal Kami
- Shahab Alam
The return of Lalit Rajbanshi strengthens Nepal’s spin options, while Dipendra Airee and Sandeep Lamichhane remain vital figures. Skipper Rohit Paudel will be eager to lead his team to a historic series against the Caribbean side.
