Nepal secured their second straight T20 World Cup warm-up win with a solid six-wicket victory over Canada in Chennai on Wednesday. Opener Aasif Sheikh scored an aggressive 58 runs off 29 balls, and leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane delivered a controlled spell, taking 2 wickets for 14 runs.
This performance helped Nepal chase down the target with two overs to spare. The win boosts Nepal’s confidence before their first match against England at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Meanwhile, Canada faces questions after suffering two straight warm-up losses.
Brief Scores
| Team | Score | Key Batters | Key Opposition Bowlers | Result |
| Canada | 161/6 (20 overs) | Navneet Dhaliwal 41, Shreyas Movva 38*, Jaskaran Singh 21 | Sandeep Lamichhane 2/14, Kushal Bhurtel 2/26 | Lost |
| Nepal | 162/4 (18 overs) | Aasif Sheikh 58, Sundeep Jora 44, Gulsan Jha 31* | — | Won by six wickets |
Canada’s Batting: Early Struggles, Mid-Innings Collapse, Late Recovery
Canada finished with a total of 161 for 6, showcasing a mixed innings that featured a slow start, a sudden middle-order collapse, and a strong finish that regained some momentum late.
The innings began slowly, with opener Yuvraj Samra scoring just 7 runs off 15 balls before getting out in the fourth over. Navneet Dhaliwal and Kanwarpal Tathgur steadied things with a 63-run partnership for the second wicket, briefly putting Canada back on track. However, after Tathgur was dismissed by Kushal Bhurtel, the innings fell apart.
Canada struggled as they lost four wickets for only 24 runs in a quick span of 20 balls. Bhurtel took another wicket by removing Nicholas Kirton, and Lamichhane seized control during the middle overs, dismissing Dhaliwal, who scored 41, and then taking out Harsh Thakker. This left Canada in danger of posting a low total.
A late surge from Shreyas Movva and Jaskaran Singh changed the innings’ outlook. The pair added 56 runs in the last four overs, bringing Canada to 161. Movva ended not out on 38 from 19 balls, while Jaskaran contributed a quick 21 off 11 deliveries. Although this late push provided something for Canada to defend, it wasn’t enough to change the game’s outcome.
Nepal’s Chase: Aasif and Jora Take Control Early
Nepal lost Kushal Bhurtel early in their chase, but Aasif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora quickly turned the game around.
The two added 84 runs for the second wicket in just 52 balls, scoring nearly ten runs per over. Aasif led with his 58 runs off 29 balls, using clean hitting and smart strike rotation. His performance ensured Canada’s bowlers couldn’t build pressure during the powerplay and early middle overs.
In a tactical move during a warm-up game, Aasif chose to retire at 58 rather than continue batting. This decision allowed Nepal to give others more time at the crease and showed their control over the chase without any urgency.
Jora supported with a well-paced 44, consistently finding gaps and keeping the run rate steady. He was dismissed shortly after Aasif’s retirement, but the target was still well within reach.
Gulsan Jha then finished the chase with an unbeaten 31, calmly leading Nepal to victory with two overs to spare. His innings highlighted Nepal’s depth and their ability to close out games effectively.
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Bowling Effort Sets the Platform
Nepal’s bowlers set the stage for victory by limiting Canada to a manageable total despite a strong finish in the last overs.
Lamichhane was the standout bowler, taking 2 for 14 in four overs with an economy rate of 3.50. He struck at crucial moments, breaking partnerships and maintaining pressure with disciplined lengths and smart variations.
Bhurtel also contributed well, finishing with 2 for 26 and removing Tathgur and Kirton at key moments. These wickets forced Canada to rebuild frequently.
As a unit, Nepal’s bowlers were effective during the middle phase, giving away only 24 runs while taking four wickets in a crucial stretch. Even when Canada surged late, they limited the damage and kept control of the chase.
Key Takeaways and World Cup Outlook
Earlier, Nepal Beat the UAE by 7 Wickets in the T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up Match. With two wins from two warm-up matches, Nepal enters the main tournament with positive momentum.
Nepal’s T20 World Cup squad appears stable, Lamichhane continues to take wickets and provide control, and players like Jora and Jha have shown they can perform under pressure. The choice to rotate the batting order reflects a focus on preparation rather than individual highlights. Facing England will present a bigger challenge, but Nepal carries confidence into that match.
Conversely, Canada’s second straight warm-up loss raises concerns ahead of their opener against South Africa. The middle-order collapse demonstrated their vulnerability under pressure, while their bowling lacked effectiveness during the chase. Although some individual performances were promising, consistency is still a problem. It will be crucial for Canada to address these issues quickly if they want to compete effectively in the group stage.
What’s Next
Nepal will take on England at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday in what is expected to be their toughest test yet. A strong performance against one of the tournament favorites would further affirm their preparation.
Canada faces South Africa on Monday, a tough task that will require improvements in both batting and bowling stability. With warm-ups complete, both teams now shift their focus to the tournament’s start, shaped by contrasting outcomes and momentum.
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