Aasif Sheikh Stars with Explosive 58 as Nepal Register Second Straight Warm-Up Win Against Canada at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Introduction
Chennai, 5 February 2026 — Under the blazing Chennai sun at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Nepal delivered a masterclass in all-round cricket to defeat Canada by six wickets with 12 balls to spare in their second ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up fixture. Chasing 162, Nepal finished at 162 for 4 in 18 overs, powered by Aasif Sheikh's explosive 58 off 29 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) and Sundeep Jora's composed 44. Earlier, Sandeep Lamichhane's economical 4-0-14-2 and Kushal Bhurtel's 3-0-26-2 restricted Canada to 161 for 6 after Canada elected to bat.
This victory marked Nepal's second consecutive warm-up win (following a triumph over the UAE), while Canada suffered their second defeat after losing to Italy. The result sent a strong signal ahead of Nepal's opening World Cup group-stage clash against England on 8 February at Wankhede Stadium, and Canada's meeting with South Africa on 9 February.
Warm-Up Context: Fine-Tuning for the Big Stage
The 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, features 20 teams across four groups. Nepal sit in a challenging group alongside heavyweights such as England, while Canada face South Africa, Sri Lanka and others. Warm-up matches (2–6 February) allow squads to test combinations, acclimatise to Indian conditions, and build momentum without any official stakes on the line.
Nepal entered this game high on confidence after dismantling the UAE in their opener. Canada, meanwhile, were licking their wounds from a narrow loss to Italy at the same venue. Chepauk's slow, turning pitch — typical of early-season subcontinental tracks — promised spin-friendly conditions, a factor that heavily influenced the outcome.
Canada's Innings: Solid Start, Mid-Order Collapse, Late Fightback
Canada won the toss and batted first under skipper Dilpreet Bajwa. Openers Yuvraj Samra and Navneet Dhaliwal started cautiously against a disciplined Nepal attack led by Karan KC and Sompal Kami.
Powerplay (overs 1–6): Nepal struck early when Sompal Kami had Yuvraj Samra (7 off 15) caught by Bhurtel at mid-on in the fourth over (18/1). Dhaliwal and Kanwarpal Tathgur then added 63 for the second wicket in 8.2 overs, taking Canada to 81/2 by the 12th over.
Middle overs (overs 7–15): The collapse began. Kushal Bhurtel removed Tathgur (25 off 24) and Nicholas Kirton (10 off 4, including a six) in quick succession (91/4). Lamichhane then produced a magical spell: he bowled Dhaliwal (41 off 36, 1 four, 3 sixes) through the gate and castled Harsh Thaker (8 off 10) in the same over, leaving Canada at 105/5 in the 16th.
Lamichhane's 4 overs yielded just 14 runs and 2 wickets — his economy of 3.50 was the standout bowling effort of the match. Nepal's fielding remained sharp, with Lokesh Bam's stumping and catches adding to the pressure.
Death overs (overs 16–20): Shreyas Movva (38* off 19, 2 fours, 3 sixes) and Jaskaran Singh (21 off 11, 3 sixes) launched a counter-attack. The pair smashed 51 runs in the final four overs (including 35 in the last two), lifting Canada to 161/6. Extras (10) and a fighting lower order prevented a sub-150 total.
Canada's innings highlighted their batting depth but exposed their middle order's fragility against quality spin.
Nepal's Chase: Clinical and Aggressive
Nepal needed 162 at 8.10 runs per over. Kushal Bhurtel fell lbw to Jaskaran Singh for 12 (29/1 in 2.2 overs), but Aasif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora ignited the chase.
Powerplay and early acceleration: Wicketkeeper-batsman Aasif Sheikh launched an onslaught, reaching 50 off just 18 balls (4 sixes, 6 fours) and finishing with 58 off 29 before retiring out tactically in the 11th over (113/2). The 84-run second-wicket stand with Jora, off just 52 balls, shifted the momentum decisively.
Middle phase: Jora (44 off 30, 4 fours, 1 six) kept the scoring brisk until Ajayveer Hundal dismissed him (121/3). Gulsan Jha then anchored with an unbeaten 31 off 25 (5 fours), while Lokesh Bam chipped in 5 before being stumped by Movva off Saad Bin Zafar (143/4 in 16.1 overs).
Finishing touches: Dipendra Singh Airee (9* off 6) and Jha guided Nepal home with 12 runs off the final over, as Ansh Patel conceded 12. Nepal's chase showcased intent, rotation and composure under lights.
Standout Performances
Aasif Sheikh — His 58 off 29 was pure aggression. As Nepal's consistent top-order batter, a strike rate of 200.00 set the tone for the chase. Retiring out allowed bench players valuable exposure — a smart warm-up strategy.
Sandeep Lamichhane — The world-class leg-spinner returned figures of 2/14 in 4 overs. His googlies and flight mesmerised Canada's middle order, and his return to international cricket makes him Nepal's biggest weapon heading into the tournament.
Kushal Bhurtel — An excellent all-round contribution of 2 wickets plus 12 runs; his part-time spin proved effective on a gripping surface.
Shreyas Movva & Jaskaran Singh — Canada's death-over heroes, who prevented a heavier defeat.
Sundeep Jora & Gulsan Jha — Jora's 44 and Jha's unbeaten 31 provided stability during the chase.
Tactical and Strategic Insights
Nepal's bowling unit — Lamichhane, Bhurtel and Yadav — exploited Chepauk's turn brilliantly, taking five wickets in the middle overs. Canada's reliance on pace backfired, with Heyliger going for 43 runs in two overs. Nepal's batting showed real depth and flexibility, and retiring Aasif Sheikh out was a smart piece of squad management, allowing others time in the middle without risking the result.
This win boosts Nepal's confidence ahead of their tournament opener against England. For Canada, the lessons are clear: better middle-order consolidation and more focused practice against quality spin bowling.
Why This Result Matters Beyond the Scoreline
Two warm-up wins on the bounce give Nepal something more valuable than momentum alone — genuine tactical proof that their template works against varied attacks. Aasif Sheikh's ability to retire out after reaching fifty, rather than batting through, signals a squad management style few Associate nations have the batting depth to attempt, and it will let Rohit Paudel experiment further before the England game. Lamichhane's return to form is arguably the bigger story, though: a leg-spinner bowling at a 3.50 economy on a used Chepauk surface against recognised batters is a genuine weapon in ICC tournament cricket, not just an Associate-level curiosity.
For Canada, the concern is structural rather than personnel-based — two defeats in two warm-ups, both featuring a middle-order wobble against spin, suggest the issue needs addressing before the South Africa clash rather than being written off as early-tournament rust.
Player Spotlights and Career Context
Aasif Sheikh: Nepal's vice-captain and wicketkeeper-batter has over 1,500 T20I runs. His explosive starts have defined Nepal's rise in Associate cricket.
Sandeep Lamichhane: Once ranked the world's No. 1 T20I bowler, Lamichhane's 100-plus international wickets remain Nepal's bowling cornerstone.
Rohit Paudel (c): Nepal's skipper led from the front with calm leadership, though he did not bat in this fixture.
Canada's Navneet Dhaliwal: A veteran opener with experience across formats; his 41 provided crucial stability at the top of the order.
Head-to-Head and Historical Perspective
Nepal and Canada have met sporadically in T20Is and qualifying tournaments. Nepal now lead the recent encounters, leveraging spin-friendly conditions more effectively than Canada's pace-oriented attack.
Road Ahead
Nepal face England on 8 February in Mumbai, followed by other group opponents. Canada meet South Africa on 9 February. Both teams will use any remaining warm-up time to finalise their playing XIs before the tournament proper begins.
This emphatic win underlines Nepal's growing stature in global T20 cricket. With stars such as Lamichhane and Sheikh firing, the "Rhinos" look ready to make an impact at the 2026 World Cup.The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match between Canada and Nepal, played on February 5, 2026, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The article expands on the official scorecard, match report, and contextual details for depth, analysis, player spotlights, historical background, and strategic insights.
Nepal’s Second Straight Warm-Up Triumph: Aasif Sheikh and Sandeep Lamichhane Seal Dominant Victory Over Canada
Chennai, February 5, 2026 — Under the blazing Chennai sun at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Nepal delivered a masterclass in all-round cricket to defeat Canada by six wickets with 12 balls to spare in their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up fixture. Chasing 162, Nepal finished at 162 for 4 in 18 overs, powered by Aasif Sheikh’s explosive 58 off 29 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) and Sundeep Jora’s composed 44. Earlier, Sandeep Lamichhane’s economical 4-0-14-2 and Kushal Bhurtel’s 3-0-26-2 restricted Canada to 161 for 6 after Canada elected to bat.
This victory marked Nepal’s second consecutive warm-up win (following a triumph over UAE), while Canada suffered their second defeat after losing to Italy. The result sent a strong signal ahead of Nepal’s opening World Cup group-stage clash against England on February 8 at Wankhede Stadium and Canada’s meeting with South Africa on February 9.
Warm-Up Context: Fine-Tuning for the Big Stage
The 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, features 20 teams across four groups. Nepal sits in a challenging group alongside heavyweights like England, while Canada faces South Africa, Sri Lanka, and others. Warm-up matches (February 2–6) allow squads to test combinations, acclimatise to Indian conditions, and build momentum without official stakes.
Nepal entered this game high on confidence after dismantling UAE in their opener. Canada, meanwhile, licked wounds from a narrow loss to Italy at the same venue. Chepauk’s slow, turning pitch (typical of early-season subcontinental tracks) promised spin-friendly conditions — a factor that heavily influenced the outcome.
Canada’s Innings: Solid Start, Mid-Order Collapse, Late Fightback
Canada won the toss and batted first under skipper Dilpreet Bajwa. Openers Yuvraj Samra and Navneet Dhaliwal started cautiously against a disciplined Nepal attack led by Karan KC and Sompal Kami.
Powerplay (Overs 1–6): Nepal struck early when Sompal Kami had Yuvraj Samra (7 off 15) caught by Bhurtel at mid-on in the fourth over (18/1). Dhaliwal and Kanwarpal Tathgur then added 63 for the second wicket in 8.2 overs, taking Canada to 81/2 by the 12th over.
Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): The collapse began. Kushal Bhurtel removed Tathgur (25 off 24) and Nicholas Kirton (10 off 4, including a six) in quick succession (91/4). Lamichhane then produced a magical spell: he bowled Dhaliwal (41 off 36, 1 four, 3 sixes) through the gate and castled Harsh Thaker (8 off 10) in the same over, leaving Canada at 105/5 in the 16th.
Lamichhane’s 4 overs yielded just 14 runs and 2 wickets — his economy of 3.50 was the standout bowling effort of the match. Nepal’s fielding remained sharp, with Lokesh Bam’s stumping and catches adding pressure.
Death Overs (Overs 16–20): Shreyas Movva (38* off 19, 2 fours, 3 sixes) and Jaskaran Singh (21 off 11, 3 sixes) launched a counter-attack. The pair smashed 51 runs in the final 4 overs (including 35 in the last two), lifting Canada to 161/6. Extras (10) and a fighting lower order prevented a sub-150 total.
Canada’s innings highlighted their batting depth but exposed middle-order fragility against quality spin.
Nepal’s Chase: Clinical and Aggressive
Nepal needed 162 at 8.10 runs per over. Kushal Bhurtel fell lbw to Jaskaran Singh for 12 (29/1 in 2.2 overs), but Aasif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora ignited the chase.
Powerplay and Early Acceleration: Aasif Sheikh (wicketkeeper-batsman) launched an onslaught. He reached 50 off 18 balls (4 sixes, 6 fours) and finished with 58 off 29 before retiring out tactically in the 11th over (113/2). The 84-run second-wicket stand with Jora (off just 52 balls) shifted momentum decisively.
Middle Phase: Jora (44 off 30, 4 fours, 1 six) kept the scoring brisk until Ajayveer Hundal dismissed him (121/3). Gulsan Jha then anchored with an unbeaten 31 off 25 (5 fours), while Lokesh Bam chipped in 5 before being stumped by Movva off Saad Bin Zafar (143/4 in 16.1 overs).
Finishing Touches: Dipendra Singh Airee (9* off 6) and Jha guided Nepal home with 12 runs off the final over (Ansh Patel conceded 12). Nepal’s chase showcased intent, rotation, and composure under lights.
Standout Performances
Aasif Sheikh — The 58 off 29 was pure aggression. As Nepal’s consistent top-order batter, his strike rate of 200.00 set the tone. Retiring out allowed bench players valuable exposure — a smart warm-up strategy.
Sandeep Lamichhane — The world-class leg-spinner returned figures of 2/14 in 4 overs. His googlies and flight mesmerised Canada’s middle order. Lamichhane’s return to international cricket after past controversies makes him Nepal’s biggest weapon.
Kushal Bhurtel — All-round contribution: 2 wickets + 12 runs. His part-time spin proved effective on a gripping surface.
Shreyas Movva & Jaskaran Singh — Canada’s death-over heroes prevented a bigger defeat.
Sundeep Jora & Gulsan Jha — Jora’s 44 and Jha’s 31* provided stability during the chase.
Tactical and Strategic Insights
Nepal’s bowling unit (Lamichhane + Bhurtel + Yadav) exploited Chepauk’s turn brilliantly, taking 5 wickets in the middle overs. Canada’s reliance on pace (Heyliger went for 43 in 2 overs) backfired. Nepal’s batting showed depth and flexibility — retiring Aasif out was a masterstroke for rotation.
This win boosts Nepal’s confidence ahead of England. For Canada, lessons include better middle-order consolidation and spin-handling practice.
Player Spotlights and Career Context
Aasif Sheikh: Nepal’s vice-captain and wicketkeeper-batter has over 1,500 T20I runs. His explosive starts have defined Nepal’s rise in Associate cricket.
Sandeep Lamichhane: Once ranked world No. 1 T20I bowler, Lamichhane’s 100+ international wickets remain Nepal’s bowling cornerstone.
Rohit Paudel (c): Nepal skipper led from the front with calm leadership, though he didn’t bat here.
Canada’s Navneet Dhaliwal: Veteran opener with experience across formats; his 41 provided stability.
Head-to-Head and Historical Perspective
Nepal and Canada have met sporadically in T20Is and Qualifiers. Nepal now leads the recent encounters, leveraging spin-friendly conditions better than Canada’s pace-oriented attack.
Road Ahead
Nepal face England (Feb 8, Mumbai), then other group opponents. Canada meet South Africa (Feb 9). Both teams will use remaining warm-ups (if any) to finalise playing XIs.
This emphatic Nepal win underlines their growing stature in global T20 cricket. With stars like Lamichhane and Sheikh firing, the “Rhinos” are ready to roar in the 2026 World Cup.
Including detailed innings breakdowns, player bios, tactical analysis, and contextual sections.)
Sources: Official ESPNcricinfo scorecard and match report. All statistics and quotes drawn directly from verified match data. Images generated for illustrative enhancement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What was the result of the Nepal vs Canada warm-up match? Nepal won by six wickets with 12 balls to spare, chasing down Canada's 161/6 to finish on 162/4.
Q2. Who was the standout batter for Nepal? Aasif Sheikh, who smashed 58 off just 29 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) at a strike rate of 200.00 before retiring out.
Q3. How did Sandeep Lamichhane perform with the ball? Lamichhane returned excellent figures of 2/14 in 4 overs, bowling both Navneet Dhaliwal and Harsh Thaker in the same over.
Q4. Where was the Nepal vs Canada match played? The match was held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai on 5 February 2026.
Q5. What does this win mean for Nepal's World Cup campaign? It was Nepal's second straight warm-up victory, building strong momentum ahead of their group-stage opener against England on 8 February at Wankhede Stadium.
Q6. Who top-scored for Canada? Navneet Dhaliwal top-scored with 41 off 36 balls, while Shreyas Movva added an unbeaten 38 in the death overs.
Q7. What is Canada's next fixture? Canada face South Africa on 9 February, looking to bounce back from their second successive warm-up defeat.
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