Cricket Kitchen

Nepal U-19 Team Departs for Oman from Pokhara for Asia Cup

November 3, 2026

Pokhara – Nepal’s national U-19 cricket team has departed directly from Pokhara for Oman to participate in the ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup 2026.

The 15-member squad flew to Oman via Dubai on Monday aboard a Flydubai flight. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Oman from Kartik 19 to 28.

Officials from the Gandaki Province Cricket Association and Kaski District Cricket Association, along with well-wishers, bid farewell to the team at Pokhara International Airport. A formal farewell programme was also organised in the presence of Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya.

Addressing the farewell programme, Mayor Acharya said he felt proud that the Nepali team was departing directly from Pokhara to participate in an international tournament.

“We are extremely happy to send the team from Pokhara to Oman via Dubai on Flydubai,” he said, expressing confidence that the players would perform exceptionally well with high morale.

Pokhara Metropolitan City’s Chief Administrative Officer Rajan Poudel thanked the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for choosing Pokhara as the team’s training venue. He said hosting the national team was a matter of pride for the city and expressed confidence that the players’ hard work, dedication and teamwork would lead to success.

Nepal U-19 captain Bipin Prasad Sharma also expressed happiness at being able to travel directly from Pokhara to Oman via Dubai. He said departing from Pokhara had saved time compared to travelling to Kathmandu before flying abroad.

“The training in Pokhara was very good. We hope to deliver results that reflect our hard work and make the country proud,” he said.

Head coach Basanta Shahi Thakuri said the team would play freely without putting pressure on itself over the results. He added that Nepali players would take the field fearlessly against teams from Test-playing nations.

“This tournament is an opportunity that could change the future and fortunes of Nepali players and the country. Playing on such a big stage makes this competition particularly important,” he said.

As part of their preparations for the tournament, Nepal’s U-19 national team completed a five-day closed training camp in Pokhara.