The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has made a significant move to bolster their coaching staff ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, appointing former Australian seamer Ian Harvey as the men’s bowling consultant coach. Harvey joins a setup already led by head coach and fellow Australian Stuart Law, reuniting two experienced figures to guide the Rhinos on the world stage in India and Sri Lanka.
At 53, Harvey brings a wealth of tactical knowledge and a reputation as one of the original pioneers of the T20 format. Having previously coached Gloucestershire—a club where he remains a legendary figure from his playing days—his transition into international consultancy is seen as a major boost for Nepal’s developing pace attack.
A T20 Pioneer Joins the Nepal Camp
Ian Harvey was widely considered a limited-overs specialist long before T20 cricket became a global phenomenon. His career was defined by an uncanny ability to restrict scoring in the death overs using a sophisticated arsenal of slower balls and pinpoint yorkers. These are precisely the skills Nepal will need as they prepare to face the world’s most explosive batting lineups.
Harvey’s credentials speak for themselves. He was a member of the dominant Australian squad that lifted the 2003 ODI World Cup and finished his international career with 85 wickets from 73 ODIs. However, it was in the shortest format where he truly made history; in 2003, he became the first player to score a T20 century during the inaugural Twenty20 Cup in England. His versatility was further proven in 2007 when he was named Player of the Tournament in the Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Preparing for the Wankhede Challenge
The appointment comes at a crucial time for Nepal. Despite a winless campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup, the team showed immense heart and potential, nearly pulling off massive upsets against established nations like South Africa and Bangladesh. The goal for 2026 is to turn those “close calls” into historic victories.
Nepal faces a daunting but exciting schedule, playing all of their group-stage matches at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Their campaign kicks off on February 8 against the defending champions, England. With Harvey’s expertise in variations and Law’s leadership, Nepal is betting on Australian grit to help them navigate one of the toughest groups in the tournament.
