Nepal U-19 women’s cricket team is set to make their debut at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup with a match against Bangladesh at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval in Bangi, Malaysia on Saturday.

Nepal are drawn in Group D, which also features heavyweights Australia and Scotland.

Nepal will play their second group match against Scotland on January 20, which will be followed by a clash with Australia on January 22.

A total of 16 teams have been divided into four groups, each consisting of four teams. The top three teams in each group will progress to two Super Six groups, where they will carry over their points picked up against other progressing teams in the group stage. The top two teams in each Super Six will advance into the semi-finals.

Nepal’s qualification to the World Cup was a remarkable journey as they beat the United Arab Emirates by eight wickets in the final day of the Asia Regional Qualifiers and overtook them in net run rate.

Captain Puja Mahato was the key to Nepal’s success in the qualification campaign where she hit 130 off 69 balls not out against Kuwait and played a crucial role with both the ball and the bat against the UAE.

Mahato also scored an unbeaten 47 off 47 and took two wickets to help Nepal pull off a historic victory against Pakistan in the group stage of the ACC U-19 T20 Asia Cup last month. The win also sent Nepal to Super Four ahead of Test playing nation Pakistan. But they suffered a heavy nine-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the Super Four.

Prior to heading to Malaysia, Nepal captain and coach Mahesh Rijal had said that their first aim will be the Super Six.

However, Nepal warmed up for the World Cup with losses against West Indies and the United States exposing areas of concern. But Mahato’s form and Riya Sharma, who took three wickets against the US in the warm up game, will offer some hope.

Bangladesh, who fell agonisingly short from making the semi-finals last edition, will again be favourites against Nepal.

Bangladesh will be led by captain Suaiya Akter, who made her ODI debut for the national side against Australia in March last year. Akter was a member of the squad in the 2023 tournament and took the armband from Disha Biswas.

Nishita Akter Nishi will also carry her experience with the senior team in the World Cup.