ICC Asia Conference 2026: Nepal to host cricket summit November 19-21
Synopsis
Nepal is stepping onto the global cricket governance stage, hosting the ICC Asia Conference in Kathmandu from 19 to 21 November 2026. With Test-playing nations, Associate Members, and senior ICC delegates set to attend — and NPL III's final timed to coincide with their visit — this is the most consequential cricketing moment in Nepal's administrative history.
Key Takeaways
Nepal will host the ICC Asia Conference from 19 to 21 November 2026 in Kathmandu .
The event is organised by the ICC and managed by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) .
Representatives from Asia's Test-playing nations and Associate Members , along with senior ICC delegates, will attend.
The SBL NPL III Eliminator and Final will coincide with the delegates' visit, beginning 26 October .
NPL III features stars including David Warner , Shakib Al Hasan , Moeen Ali , and Sikandar Raza .
The conference is also expected to boost tourism in Nepal following flash floods in August 2026 .
Nepal will host the ICC Asia Conference from 19 to 21 November 2026 in Kathmandu, bringing together cricket administrators and policymakers from across the region, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced on Friday, 16 October. The event, jointly organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and managed by CAN, marks a significant moment in Nepal's cricketing journey.
Who Will Attend
The conference will draw representatives from Asia's Test-playing nations and Associate Member countries, along with senior delegates from the wider international cricket community. According to CAN's official statement, the agenda will focus on cricket development and strengthening regional cooperation — two priorities that have gained urgency as Associate nations push for greater resources and visibility.
What CAN Secretary Paras Khadka Said
CAN secretary Paras Khadka said the conference would open new avenues for the sport within the country. 'Hosting the conference will add a significant new dimension to the structural development of Nepali cricket and help expand the country's international relations within the sport,' Khadka said. He added that the event is also expected to elevate Nepal's standing in global cricket administration.
Nepal Premier League and Sports Tourism
The timing of the conference is deliberate. The third edition of the Siddharth Bank Nepal Premier League (SBL NPL III) gets underway on 26 October, with its Eliminator and Final scheduled to coincide with the delegates' visit in November. CAN confirmed that visiting officials will witness the knockout stages of the tournament live. Notably, the NPL was recently granted official recognition as a sanctioned tournament by the ICC — a milestone that CAN said will significantly contribute to the league's international stature.
The NPL III is set to feature a string of globally recognised players, including David Warner, Shakib Al Hasan, Sikandar Raza, Moeen Ali, Jimmy Neesham, and former India wicketkeeper KS Bharat. Their presence is expected to attract broader viewership and amplify Nepal's profile as a cricket destination.
Broader Context: Tourism and Recovery
Beyond cricket administration, the conference is expected to provide a boost to Nepal's tourism sector, which was adversely affected by flash floods in August 2026. Hosting an ICC-level event brings international visibility to Kathmandu at a time when the country is working to rebuild its travel and hospitality economy. This comes amid a broader push by Associate cricket nations in Asia to leverage global events for soft-power gains and infrastructure investment in the sport.
The ICC Asia Conference will be only the latest in a series of steps Nepal has taken to cement its place in regional cricket governance — and all eyes will be on Kathmandu when delegates arrive in November.
Point of View
Not just participants on the field. The timing, dovetailing with an NPL final that features Warner, Shakib, and Moeen Ali, is astute soft diplomacy. But the deeper question is whether conferences like this translate into structural funding and voting power for Associate members, or remain goodwill gestures. Nepal's cricket has grown rapidly, yet resources and infrastructure lag well behind ambition. The real measure of this milestone will come in what CAN negotiates behind closed doors — not what it showcases on the field.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICC Asia Conference 2026 in Nepal?
The ICC Asia Conference 2026 is a regional cricket summit organised by the International Cricket Council and managed by the Cricket Association of Nepal, scheduled for 19 to 21 November 2026 in Kathmandu. It will bring together representatives from Asia's Test-playing nations, Associate Members, and the broader international cricket community to discuss cricket development and regional cooperation.
Why is Nepal hosting the ICC Asia Conference?
Nepal was selected to host the ICC Asia Conference as part of efforts to strengthen the country's role in international cricket administration and promote sports tourism. CAN secretary Paras Khadka said the event will add a new dimension to the structural development of Nepali cricket and expand Nepal's international relations within the sport.
What is the Nepal Premier League and when does it start?
The Nepal Premier League (NPL) is Nepal's premier franchise T20 competition, recently granted official recognition by the ICC. Its third edition, the SBL NPL III, begins on 26 October 2026, with the Eliminator and Final timed to coincide with the ICC Asia Conference delegates' visit in November.
Which international players will feature in NPL III?
The third edition of the Nepal Premier League is set to feature David Warner, Shakib Al Hasan, Sikandar Raza, Moeen Ali, Jimmy Neesham, and former India wicketkeeper KS Bharat, among other internationally recognised players.
How does the ICC Asia Conference benefit Nepal beyond cricket?
The conference is expected to boost Nepal's tourism sector, which was significantly affected by flash floods in August 2026. Hosting an ICC-level international event brings visibility to Kathmandu and supports recovery in the country's travel and hospitality economy.
