U-19 Asia Cup: Nepali team departs for Oman, first match against India on Kartik 20

The Nepal national U-19 cricket team departed from Pokhara for Oman on Monday to take part in the ACC Men's U-19 Asia Cup. The 15-member team, captained by Bipin Prasad Sharma, flew from Pokhara International Airport via Dubai to Oman on a Fly Dubai flight. The tournament runs in Oman from Kartik 19 to 28.

Nepal, placed in Group A, will play their first match against India on Kartik 20. They will then face the United Arab Emirates on Kartik 22 and Pakistan on Kartik 24. For preparation, the team held a 5-day closed training camp at Pokhara Stadium starting Kartik 12. Five players on the team have also previously played the 2025 U-19 Asia Cup.

Pokhara Metropolitan City, the Cricket Association of Nepal, and the Gandaki Provincial Cricket Association organized a send-off program for the team. Metropolitan Mayor Dhanraj Acharya expressed confidence that the young players would put in an excellent performance at the Asia Cup.

Captain Sharma said flying directly from Pokhara instead of Kathmandu saved time. Head coach Basanta Shahi Thakuri said the team would play without fear of the Test nations and without taking the pressure of results, adding that even without a long preparation period, the players had learned new skills in the practice matches.