The Nepal Women’s National Cricket Team is the official women’s cricket team representing Nepal in international competitions. Known for their grit, consistency, and rising star power, the team has earned a strong reputation in Asian women’s cricket, especially in the T20I format.

Overview

• Team Name: Nepal Women’s National Cricket Team

• Governing Body: Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN)

• ICC Status:

  • Associate Member (since 1996)

  • Full Women’s T20 International (WT20I) status (since 2018)

• Format Played: T20 Internationals (primary format)

• Home Ground: Tribhuvan University Ground, Kirtipur

• Coach: Samson Jung Thapa (as of latest updates)

• Captain: Rubina Chhetry

Brief History

Nepal’s women’s cricket began in the early 2000s and developed steadily through domestic tournaments and regional participation. With the ICC granting full T20I status to all women’s matches between member nations in 2018, Nepal gained greater visibility and official international rankings.

Key Milestones

• 2007: Debut in ACC Women’s Tournament

• 2010: Reached semifinals in the ACC Women’s Twenty20 Championship

• 2019: Ranked in top 20 of ICC Women’s T20I rankings

• 2023: Winners of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier (Div. 2)

Major Achievements

 Tournaments

• ACC Women’s T20 Championship – Semifinalists multiple times

• ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier – Division 2 Champions (2023)

• SA Games Participation – Regular competitors with strong showings

• Multiple wins against regional teams like UAE, Malaysia, and Hong Kong

Playing Style and Team Identity

Nepal Women’s Cricket Team is known for:

• Spin-heavy bowling attacks

• Compact batting units that rely on partnerships and rotating strike

• Quick fielding and athleticism across the field

They are a gritty, disciplined unit, often outperforming better-resourced teams in pressure situations.

Star Players

 Rubina Chhetry (Captain)

• All-rounder and team leader

• Among the most experienced players in South Asian associate cricket

• Famous for taking a hat-trick and scoring a fifty in the same T20I match — a global first

Indu Barma

• Dependable middle-order batter and occasional bowler

• Key run-scorer for the team in qualifiers

 Kabita Kunwar

• Lead pace bowler

• Known for accuracy and variations in powerplay overs

 Sita Rana Magar

• Dynamic top-order batter

• Strong presence in domestic and regional cricket

• Often contributes with the ball as well

Recent Performances

• 2023 ICC Women’s T20 Asia Qualifier Division 2 – Champions, defeating Bahrain and UAE

• Consistent performers in T20I bilateral series against Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Qatar

• Climbing the ICC Women’s T20I rankings with each passing series

Rankings

• ICC WT20I Ranking (2024): Around 16th–18th globally (fluctuates slightly)

• One of the highest-ranked Associate teams in Asia

• Continues to challenge teams like UAE, Thailand, and Malaysia

Domestic Development

Nepal is investing in:

• Women’s cricket academies in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Biratnagar

• Inter-provincial T20 tournaments

• School-level girls’ cricket programs, supported by ICC and local NGOs

Challenges

• Limited financial and infrastructural support

• Lack of regular international exposure

• Few professional contracts for players (though this is slowly changing)

Despite these challenges, the team continues to punch above its weight.

Fan Support and Cultural Impact

• Women’s cricket is gaining ground thanks to social media, school outreach, and televised matches

• Rubina Chhetry and others are viewed as role models for young Nepali girls

• Increasing media coverage is helping normalize women’s sports in Nepal

Trivia

• Rubina Chhetry is the first cricketer (male or female) to score a half-century and take a hat-trick in the same T20 International match.

• Nepal is one of only a few countries where women’s cricket grew entirely from grassroots volunteer efforts before ICC grants were introduced.

• Many of the team’s players also work as coaches, teachers, or sports officers, balancing careers with national duties.