England mulling historic T20I tour of Nepal

England could become the first major Test-playing nation to tour Nepal, as the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is exploring options to schedule a short international white-ball tour in the 2027-2031 international match cycle.

Cricket in Nepal has been growing at an exponential rate. Nepal won a series against an ICC full-member team for the first time when they beat West Indies in the UAE in a three-match T20I affair in late September 2025. Cricket Ireland announced in March 2026 that they had signed a 'strategic partnership agreement' of five years with the Cricket Association of Nepal, and are planning to schedule a tour for the winter of 2026-27.

England and Nepal faced off against each other for the first time at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in February at the Wankhede Stadium. ESPNcricinfo has reported that Paras Khadka, the secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and former Nepal captain, had met with ECB officials in India in the days following that match.

"It would mean a lot, especially if Australia or England comes to Nepal. That would show world cricket [that] Nepal also plays cricket, and plays decent cricket. It is very important,” Nepal captain Rohit Paudel said, speaking during the T20 World Cup.

The ECB have been in discussions with multiple cricket boards to plan the schedules and series for the 2027-2031 Future Tours Programme (FTP) cycle, but they are also awaiting confirmation on any updates to the rules of the ICC World Test Championship. They are considering planning a short white-ball tour of Nepal, which could possibly fit into the schedule ahead of a significant white-ball tour in the subcontinent.

England and Nepal played out a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup earlier in the year. Batting first on a hot afternoon in Mumbai, England got to a score of 184/7 with half-centuries from skipper Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell, and a 16-ball 39 from Will Jacks at the end. Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav picked up two wickets apiece.

Nepal put up an inspiring effort in the chase, taking the England bowlers all around the park, but fell short in the end by just four runs. Airee top-scored with 44 off 29 balls, captain Rohit Paudel scored 39 off 34 balls, while Lokesh Bam scored a 20-ball 39 to almost take Nepal home in front of raucous supporters that had filled the Wankhede Stadium.