Kathmandu, May 21 (UNI) Nepal captain Indu Barma is excited about what lies ahead after her side won through to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier for the first time.

Nepal finished second at the recent ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier and are now just

one step away from featuring at next year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England.

The Asian side will now take part in the Global Qualifier tournament later this year or in early 2026, with the top four teams from that event winning a spot at the 20-over showcase in England in the middle of next year.

Nepal will have their work cut out to progress from the Global Qualifier, with higher-ranked teams Bangladesh, Scotland and Thailand and up-and-coming nation USA their opponents that are already confirmed and a further five countries still yet to join them in a 10-team event that will finalise the makeup of the next edition of the Women's T20 World Cup.

But Nepal have already upset the odds by defeating a higher-ranked team in the UAE at the Asian Qualifier to ensure they progressed to the Global Qualifier and Barma believes the recent showing

in Thailand displays what her side are capable of, an ICC report said.

“Global Qualifier is a historic achievement that has also opened doors for other opportunities,”

Barma said in a video published by Hamrokhelkud.com.

“We are in a happy mood. The win has inspired us. It has shown that women’s cricket in Nepal deserves more investment and support from the agencies concerned,” she said.

Nepal's efforts in Thailand at the Asian Qualifier won praise from a host of sources, with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli passing on his congratulations shortly after the achievement.

“A historic achievement for Nepal in women’s cricket… This is a moment of pride for Nepal,” Oli

wrote on social media.

“Congratulations and best wishes.”

Former Nepal men's skipper Paras Khadka also showed his appreciation of the side's efforts and in particular those of Barma following her Player of the Match performance in the decisive Super Three fixture against the UAE.

"Wow. Skipper leading from the front," Khadka wrote.

"Amazing commitment from our women's cricket team to make to the World Cup qualifiers.

"Congratulations girls. You have made Nepal proud."

UNI BM