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Kathmandu, January 3 – The Cricket Association of Nepal unveiled an exciting schedule for 2026 during an event held in Kathmandu on Saturday. In detailing the cricket-related events for the year, the CAN emphasized greater focus on the infrastructure development.

Although the CAN has organized multiple international matches at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, it remains uncertain if the Nepali cricket authority will be permitted to use the venue.

Tribhuvan University has leased the land where the Nepali cricket headquarters is located to the CAN for a period of 25 years. However, this agreement is set to expire at the end of the Nepali calendar year 2082 BS (around mid-April 2026). It remains unclear whether TU will renew the agreement.

The University, being an autonomous institution, has the exclusive authority to decide whether to renew the lease,” said Minister for Science, Education and Technology Mahabir Pun in a recent conversation with Aajko Khel. “There have been multiple complaints from TU officials and students regarding how cricket events at the TU Stadium have disrupted their academic pursuits.

Pun emphasized again that TU was meant for academic pursuits, and occasionally using the cricket ground had interfered with the university’s primary objective: to develop competent graduates.

However, until there are other options available for the CAN, the lease agreement might be extended for a while, but the right remains solely with TU,” Pun stated. “But one thing is certain, the CAN should look for other alternatives. There are lands in Mulpani; they can develop them.

Likewise, the CAN also thinks that the Lower Mulpani Cricket Ground might serve as a suitable replacement for the time being.

Citing the need for more stadiums in Nepali cricket, Paras Khadka, Secretary of CAN, stated during the unveiling ceremony, “We ask the government to hand over the Lower Mulpani Cricket Ground to CAN. We plan to transform it into a proper stadium.”

Khadka stated, “We have investors prepared for that initiative.”

Nevertheless, Khadka mentioned that the CAN would comply with the TU’s choice concerning the lease.

The cricket pitches in Lower and Upper Mulpani are presently managed by the National Sports Council.

“We urge the government to increase funding for cricket facilities across the nation as well,” stated Khadka, the former leader of the Nepali men’s cricket team.

According to the 2026 schedule of the CAN, approximately 10 events are set to take place at the TU International Cricket Stadium, which has recently been renovated with improved seating and lighting, and where the government has approved additional development plans.