Nepal fans celebrate at Wankhede Stadium after T20 World Cup match

Thousands of Nepalese fans attended the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match between Nepal and England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. The stadium was filled with a sea of red and blue replica shirts, creating a carnival-like atmosphere. Supporters from all ages turned up to watch the match, with many traveling long distances to attend.

The Nepalese team delivered a memorable performance, chasing a challenging target of 185 against England. Despite being heavily outmatched in experience and pedigree, Nepal’s players showed great intensity and determination. Lokesh Bam’s late heroics and Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee’s onslaughts pushed the contest to the last ball.

Nepalese fans expressed their pride and support for the team, despite the loss. Subodh Dhakal, a doctor from Kathmandu, traveled with his wife to attend the match, while Satyam Pokhrel joined a group of friends from Nepal to watch all three of Nepal’s scheduled games at the venue.

Nepal has made significant progress in cricket, with recent victories over stronger opponents. The team’s debut at the tournament in 2014 led to a famous win over Afghanistan, and their 2-1 series victory over the West Indies five months prior to the World Cup marked another notable achievement.

For many fans, attending the match was an opportunity they had been looking forward to for years. Bhuvan Rawal traveled from Tikapur in far-western Nepal, spending three days on the road to reach Mumbai by bus. He believes that lowly-ranked teams like Nepal are not just making up numbers at the expanded 20-team T20 World Cup, but have a lot to offer.

The match against England was one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the tournament, and the Nepalese fans did not disappoint. Their enthusiasm and support for the team were evident throughout the game, creating an electric atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium.

Source: Al Jazeera