Nepal to play T20 tri-series against Baroda and Gujarat as part of 2024 Men's T20 WC preparation
Nepal to play T20 tri-series against Baroda and Gujarat ahead of T20 World Cup
The Nepal senior men’s cricket team is set to participate in a T20 tri-series against Baroda and Gujarat in Vapi, dubbed as the ‘Friendship Cup’ from March 31 to April 7, as announced by its governing body. The tri-series will serve as crucial preparation for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup, where Nepal has been placed in Group D alongside South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands, and 2014 Men’s T20 World Cup winners Sri Lanka.
Nepal, currently ranked 16th in the ICC men’s T20I rankings, aims to use the tri-series against Baroda and Gujarat to fine-tune their skills and build momentum for the T20 World Cup, which will be held in the United States of America and the West Indies from June 1-29. Nepal’s first group match is scheduled against the Netherlands on June 5 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, USA.
The upcoming T20 World Cup will mark Nepal’s second appearance in the tournament, a decade after their first qualification for the 2014 edition in Bangladesh. The 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup will feature 16 teams, while the 2024 edition will expand to 20 teams divided into four groups of five each for the first round.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super 8 stage, where they will be split into two groups of four each. The top two sides from the Super Eight groups will advance to the semi-finals, leading up to the final on June 29 in Barbados. Notably, this will be the first time the USA will host a World Cup event, while it will be the second time West Indies will host the Men’s T20 World Cup after the 2010 edition.
Overall, 55 matches will be played in the tournament, across six venues in the West Indies and three stadiums in the USA. The Nepal team and their supporters are eagerly anticipating the tri-series and are focused on making a strong impact in the T20 World Cup, showcasing their talent and determination on the global stage.
