The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced on October 16 that Nepal will host the ICC Asia Conference from November 19 to 21, 2026, in collaboration with the International Cricket Council. High-ranking administrators from Asia’s Test-playing nations and Associate Members, along with senior figures from the wider international cricket community, will gather in Kathmandu to discuss cricket development and strengthen regional cooperation.⁠

CAN described the event as a significant milestone for Nepali cricket, one expected to strengthen the country’s international presence and promote sports tourism. In a statement, CAN secretary Paras Khadka said hosting the conference “will add a significant new dimension to the structural development of Nepali cricket and help expand the country’s international relations within the sport.

Delegates attending the conference will also watch the Eliminator and Final of the third edition of the Siddharth Bank Nepal Premier League (SBL NPL III). The league’s 2026 season runs from October 26 to November 21 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. According to the published schedule, the eliminator is set for November 18, Qualifier 2 for November 19, and the final for November 21. The overlap allows visiting administrators to see the closing stages of Nepal’s premier franchise T20 competition in person.⁠

The timing is particularly relevant because the ICC has formally sanctioned the third edition of the NPL. CAN confirmed the recognition on the same day as the conference announcement, noting that it would support the development and expansion of Nepali cricket and raise the international profile of the domestic competition. The sanction clears regulatory pathways for overseas player participation and gives the league stronger standing within ICC frameworks ahead of its October 26 start.⁠

For NPL stakeholders, the combination of the conference and the sanctioned league creates a rare window of international visibility. Senior regional administrators will be in the country during the playoffs, at a moment when the competition has just received formal ICC recognition. This could help raise awareness of Nepali domestic cricket among Asian boards and support longer-term efforts to attract players, expertise, and partnerships.

The conference itself is organized by the ICC and managed by CAN. No detailed venue or daily agenda has been released beyond the November 19–21 window and the plan for delegates to attend the NPL Eliminator and Final. Further logistical updates are expected closer to the event.

NPL 2026 continues with its league stage through mid-November before the knockout matches that will be watched by the visiting ICC Asia Conference delegates.