The Nepal U-19 national cricket team was accorded a warm farewell in Pokhara on November 2, 2026, as the squad put the finishing touches on its preparations for the ACC U-19 Asia Cup, which will be played in Oman from November 5 to 14. The send-off, organized by Pokhara Metropolitan City, brought together the city's top officials and well-wishers who gathered to wish the young players success before they depart for the Gulf nation for the regional youth championship.

A Send-Off from Pokhara Metropolitan City

The farewell function was hosted by Pokhara Metropolitan City as the official send-off for the national junior side ahead of its departure for Oman. Mayor Dhanraj Acharya and Chief Administrative Officer Rajan Poudel were among the dignitaries present at the program, where they extended their best wishes to the players and team officials for the challenge that lies ahead. The event gave the city's leadership an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the squad's hard work in training and to send the team off with the backing of the local community, as reported by RatoPati.

The presence of both the political and administrative heads of the metropolitan city underlined that the occasion was treated as a civic celebration rather than a routine sporting engagement. The key details of the send-off and the team's next assignment are as follows:

  • Event: Farewell program organized by Pokhara Metropolitan City
  • Date: November 2, 2026
  • Attendees: Mayor Dhanraj Acharya and Chief Administrative Officer Rajan Poudel
  • Training base: Eight-day closed camp at the cricket ground of Pokhara Rangashala
  • Next assignment: ACC U-19 Asia Cup in Oman, November 5-14

For the players and team officials, the ceremony marked the formal close of the home phase of their preparation. Public send-offs of this kind also serve as a morale boost, reminding the squad that it will carry the expectations of supporters across the country when it takes the field in Oman.

Eight-Day Closed Camp at Pokhara Rangashala

Before the farewell, the U-19 team had made Pokhara its home for an eight-day closed training camp, based at the cricket ground of Pokhara Rangashala. Closed camps are a familiar part of pre-tournament preparation, giving coaches and players an uninterrupted stretch of work in which tactics, fitness and skills can be sharpened away from distractions. An eight-day window allows a squad to cycle through intensive net sessions, physical conditioning and team meetings, and to arrive at a tournament with its plans settled.

The stay in Pokhara also underlined the city's place on the country's cricketing map. Pokhara Rangashala, one of the city's best-known sporting venues, provided the setting for the squad's final buildup, and the metropolitan city's willingness to host the team reflected its active interest in supporting the sport. For Pokhara, the camp and the farewell added to the city's profile as a destination for national sporting events, with the local authorities using the occasion to showcase the city's venues and hospitality.

Oman Awaits: The ACC U-19 Asia Cup

The ACC U-19 Asia Cup, organized by the Asian Cricket Council, is one of the premier age-group tournaments in Asian cricket, bringing together the region's leading under-19 national sides. The 2026 edition will run from November 5 to 14 in Oman, giving the participating teams roughly ten days of competition in the Gulf state. For the players involved, matches at this level offer exposure to international conditions and pressure situations that domestic cricket alone cannot replicate.

For Nepal's youngsters, the tournament represents one of the most significant stages of their young careers. Youth competitions of this nature have long served as a proving ground for future international cricketers across Asia, and strong performances in the Asia Cup can accelerate a player's journey toward the senior national setup. The eight-day camp in Pokhara was aimed squarely at ensuring the team arrives in Oman in the best possible shape to meet that challenge.

Local Backing and the Road Ahead

The farewell also highlighted the growing role of local governments in supporting Nepal's national teams. By organizing the send-off and hosting the squad's closed camp, Pokhara Metropolitan City has positioned itself as a hands-on partner in the country's cricketing preparations. The best wishes extended by Mayor Dhanraj Acharya and Chief Administrative Officer Rajan Poudel captured both the city's pride in hosting the young side and its hopes for the team's showing in Oman.

Attention now turns to Oman, where the ACC U-19 Asia Cup gets underway on November 5. The team departs Pokhara carrying the expectations of fans nationwide, and the farewell of November 2 will stand as the first milestone of its campaign. Whatever unfolds over the following ten days, the squad leaves behind a city that has followed its preparations closely and has made clear it expects the players to compete with pride.