Nepal wants T20 series with Bangladesh to lift spirits of flood victims

Nepal has formally proposed organising a T20 series against Bangladesh, hoping the cricket could help lift the spirits of communities devastated by recent glacier collapses and severe flooding in the country.

Nepal's ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, put the proposal to State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque during a meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday, where discussions also touched on broader sporting and cultural cooperation between the two nations.

Bhandari began by thanking the Bangladesh government and its people for the support extended following the recent disaster, before turning to the political relationship shared by the two South Asian neighbours.

"Our political relationship is excellent. However, there is an opportunity to do much more through cultural exchanges and sports," he said.

Setting out the case for the series itself, the ambassador noted the two countries have never previously played a bilateral cricket contest.

"Recently, no bilateral series has been held between Nepal and Bangladesh. Our people, especially those recovering from the recent disaster, need inspiration. We request Bangladesh to organise a T20 series," he said.

Bhandari confirmed Nepal's team stood ready to travel regardless of where the series might be staged. "Our team is fully prepared to tour Bangladesh, or we are ready to welcome Bangladesh to Nepal," he said.

Aminul Haque responded positively to the proposal, framing it within Bangladesh's wider approach to using sport as a tool for regional engagement.

"We strongly believe in sports diplomacy and are already working to increase cooperation in various sports," he said.

The state minister asked Nepal's embassy to formally submit a written request for the series, adding that any resulting talks would then move to the Bangladesh Cricket Board for consideration.

"He said an initiative would be taken to begin discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board based on that letter," according to a readout of the meeting.

Beyond cricket, Aminul Haque also raised the possibility of Nepal supporting Bangladeshi athletes in mountaineering, pointing to the country's natural terrain as a potential training resource for future expeditions and skill development.