Nepal Cricket officials and players celebrate historic performance ICC T20 World Cup in Mumbai
Mumbai welcomed the visitors not just as opponents. On the evening of February 10, Nepal Cricket officials and players celebrate historic performance ICC T20 World Cup in Mumbai at the Cricket Club of India — those who, over the past few years, have been transforming the team from the country between Everest and the Terai plains into a team capable of making the formidable English nervous.
Nepal Cricket officials and players celebrate historic performance ICC T20 World Cup in Mumbai: what was discussed at the Cricket Club of India
Among the guests were not only officials of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), led by Secretary Paras Khadka and Treasurer Padam Bahadur Khadka. Seated nearby were captain Rohit Paudel and representatives from the world of sports business. Judging by the lineup, the latter were interested in a very specific question: how serious is Nepal in its intention to consolidate its position among the leaders?
Commentator Andrew Leonard moderated the conversation. He’s good at asking tough questions, but here he was more focused on setting the tone. Then Sanjay Manjrekar joined the conversation. The former Indian national team player did not hide his curiosity: Nepal opened the group stage of the current T20 World Cup with a match against England. A score of 4 runs in favour of the founders of cricket isn’t a defeat in the traditional sense, but a victory that opponents won’t dismiss as a fluke.
When Nepal Cricket officials and players celebrate historic performance ICC T20 World Cup in Mumbai, Paras Khadwa avoided loud slogans in his speech. He talked about systemic work. That the development program does not produce results immediately, but rather after years. About the fans who can be found even in the most remote villages of Nepal. And he said that a third World Cup appearance isn’t a gift from fate, but a line in a report that everyone wrote together. “We are moving in a direction where Nepal will no longer be a surprise for the favorites.”
Nepal Cricket officials and players celebrate historic performance ICC T20 World Cup in Mumbai: premier league
The Nepal Premier League deserves special attention. Two seasons is a short period of time to appreciate the scale. But it was this tournament that became the link that was previously missing. It offers a home court for talented players, a chance to stay in shape between training camps, and, most importantly, the attention of scouts and broadcasters. Commercial partners are taking notice of the league, and the league, in turn, is making the game a profession in Nepal, not a hobby.
Lokesh Sharma, managing director of TCM Sports, uttered a phrase that was later parsed into quotes. He called the Nepalese team “a budding giant, capable of beating a giant.” And he added about “faith and character”. Perhaps from the outside it looks like a compliment to the hosts of the evening. But the statistics speak for themselves: ICC associate member status since 1996, T20Is since 2014, and ODIs since 2018.
This is Nepal’s third World Cup. The game against England in Mumbai ended with a score that fans will remember for a long time. The last ball, 4 runs difference, and the stands that couldn’t immediately believe victory had slipped away. The team didn’t give up. On Thursday, they will face Italy in the group stage. Wankhede Stadium is where Indian cricket history was made. Now Nepalese guys will write their own page here.
Of course, time will tell how long this enthusiasm will last. The journey from a brilliant performance to consistent play at the highest level is measured in more than just one tournament. But what Nepal Cricket officials and players celebrate historic performance ICC T20 World Cup in Mumbai was anything but a diplomatic reception.
