ECB evaluating potential maiden England tour of Nepal in 2026

England may soon become the first Test nation to tour Nepal in a fully-fledged international series set for 2026.

Nepal cricket growth in recent years Nepal’s cricket growth has accelerated significantly in recent seasons, culminating in a historic series victory last year over a full International Cricket Council member team—the West Indies—achieved on neutral soil in the UAE. Despite this milestone, Nepal has not yet hosted a Test-playing nation for a full international tour within its borders. That long-standing gap could be bridged later this year following a landmark agreement signed in March between Cricket Ireland and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), committing to a five-year strategic partnership and paving the way for a white-ball tour during the 2026–27 winter. ## England-Nepal rivalry begins at T20 World Cup The first meeting between England and Nepal on the field took place at the T20 World Cup in February, where England narrowly prevailed off the final delivery in a tightly contested match played before a vociferous Nepalese crowd at the Wankhede Stadium. In the days that followed, Paras Khadka—Nepal’s former captain and current secretary of CAN—met with England and Wales Cricket Board officials in India to discuss future opportunities for bilateral cricket. The encounter set the stage for potential future engagements between the two teams. ## ECB explores Nepal tour in FTP 2027–31 cycle The ECB has been actively negotiating within the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2027–31 with other cricket boards across the globe. Many aspects remain unresolved, particularly the International Cricket Council’s pending confirmation of a revised World Test Championship (WTC) structure, including a possible elimination of the minimum requirement of two matches per series. Despite the crowded international schedule, the ECB is seriously considering adding a short men’s tour to Nepal during this cycle. Such a visit could be strategically positioned just before a subsequent white-ball series—potentially in India—minimizing logistical disruption while offering competitive preparation. ## T20I series could serve dual purpose for England While the ECB remains cautious about overloading its men’s schedule, a compact two or three-match T20I series in Nepal could effectively double as pre-series training for a later campaign. This format would add only a few extra days to the overall itinerary, making it a feasible addition without major scheduling strain. The potential inclusion reflects growing interest in expanding England’s global cricket footprint beyond traditional markets. ## Nepal captain highlights global visibility opportunity Rohit Paudel, Nepal’s captain, emphasized during the T20 World Cup that a tour by a major cricketing nation could greatly enhance global recognition of Nepalese cricket. 'It would mean a lot, especially if Australia or England comes to Nepal,' he stated. 'That would show world cricket [that] Nepal also plays cricket, and plays decent cricket… It is very important.' His comments underscored the transformative impact such a visit could have on raising Nepal’s profile in international cricket. ## Khadka calls for increased exposure for Nepal A documentary aired recently highlighted Nepal’s deep passion for the game, featuring Khadka’s impassioned appeal for top-tier teams to visit and provide exposure for Nepalese players. 'What Nepal cricket needs right now is exposure,' Khadka said. 'Because we're an ODI country, we want matches against Test-playing nations because the only way you improve as a cricketer is when you play against better cricketers, when you play against better opponents. That's when you learn the game.' He stressed that international competition is essential for player development and for inspiring the next generation of Nepali cricketers, calling cricket a unifying force in the nation. ## England’s 2027 home summer fixtures take shape England’s men’s team will host Australia for the Ashes as the centerpiece of their 2027 home summer, with Pakistan and New Zealand also expected to travel for white-ball series during that period. Pakistan’s tour may include a one-off Test match, depending on the International Cricket Council’s final ruling on the WTC format for the 2027–29 edition. The women’s team will also host Bangladesh in September and face Australia in the Ashes, though exact dates will be shaped by the schedule for the inaugural women’s Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka.