(AFP Photo)
Nepal will host the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025 in Kathmandu from April 12 to 21, 2025, as announced by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). The top team from this Division 1 event will earn a spot in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026.
According to CAN’s announcement on their ‘X’ account, the tournament will feature Nepal, Afghanistan, Oman, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE. Oman and Hong Kong secured their places in the qualifier by reaching the finals of the Division 2 tournament.
Nepal participated in the 2024 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, where they achieved a dramatic one-wicket victory over Afghanistan at Buffalo Park in East London, securing their place in the Super Six stage. The 2026 edition of the Men’s U19 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia, featuring 16 teams, with five spots allocated through regional qualifiers.
Australia will enter the competition as the reigning champions, having triumphed in the 2024 U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. They secured the title by defeating India by 79 runs in the final held at Willowmoore Park in Benoni in February.
In addition to the host nations, Zimbabwe and Australia, the following teams have automatically qualified for the 2026 U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup: Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the West Indies.
This tournament will mark the sixteenth edition of the competition, which began in 1988 and is now held every two years. India holds the record with five U19 World Cup titles, while Australia has won the tournament four times. Pakistan has claimed victory twice, and Bangladesh, England, South Africa, and the West Indies have each won once.
