KATHMANDU: After a decade-long hiatus, the Nepali national cricket team is set to compete in the T20 World Cup today.
Nepal last made its T20 World Cup debut in Bangladesh in 2014, a moment that turned the entire nation into cricket enthusiasts.
This year, the ongoing World Cup in America and the West Indies has drawn significant attention from the global cricket community and Nepali fans alike.
Under the captaincy of Rohit Kumar Paudel, Nepal is making a strong comeback.
The only player from the 2014 squad still in the team is Sompal Kami; the rest are new faces.
Despite the lack of structural improvements in Nepali cricket over the past decade, the dedication and hard work of the players have brought them back to the World Cup stage.
The 10-year wait for Nepali cricket fans culminates tonight at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, USA.
Nepal’s first match is scheduled for Tuesday at 9:15 pm against the Netherlands.
This match marks the beginning of Nepal’s World Cup journey in Group D.
In a pre-match press conference, Nepali captain Rohit Paudel expressed his excitement for the World Cup opener.
“All the players are physically and mentally ready to play against the Netherlands. We aim to win as we have faced the Netherlands many times before,” Paudel stated.
He also emphasized the importance of support from Nepali fans in Dallas, which he believes will provide extra energy to the team.
Paudel mentioned that the decision to bat or bowl first would be made after the toss, considering the weather conditions, but stressed that the toss itself would not determine the outcome.
He hoped that Nepal’s performance would not only bring joy to supporters but also inspire the next generation of cricketers.
Meteorologists have meanwhile forecast clear weather for the match.
Nepali players in the team playing World Cup 2024
Rohit Kumar Poudel (captain), Asif Seikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Anil Sah, Sandeep Zora, Dipendra Singh Airi, Kushal Malla, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Abinash Bohora, Sagar Dhakal and Kamal Singh Airi.
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