But on Tuesday, captain Paras Khadka and his team were treated to something different to what they have come across so far.
They were at the historic Lord’s in London where Nepal probably became the first non-Test playing nation to play at a ground that holds legacy of a great cricketing culture.
As the skipper came to bat against Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)—world’s oldest cricket club—in the match to mark the 200-year relationship between Nepal and the United Kingdom, the home of cricket reverberated with familiar chants: “Paras Khadka, chhakka padka” (Paras Khadka, hit a six) “Paras Khadka chhakka padka.” He scored just 30 runs, but still the chants will resonate in his ears for rest of his life.
Khadka obliged to the exuberant fans, slamming a six in the 20th over before he was dismissed for 30 that contributed to a historic 41-run win. Nepal scored 217-8 in 50 overs and restricted MCC to 176 runs in 47.2 overs. The St John’s Wood Road was captivated by a festive atmosphere as almost 5,000 Nepali supporters made their way through to the Lord’s to watch Nepal’s historic appearance there.
“It was like playing at home away from home. I think it’s the highest turn out of Nepali fans that we have seen outside Asia,” said Khadka, adding that it was a special day for Nepali cricket. Having made its international debut at 1996 ACC Trophy, this appearance at the Lord’s Nepal has firmly put itself on the world cricketing map.
“It was amazing just to be at the ground. Coming out of the dressing room, walking down the stairs to bat, passing through the famous Long Room, it was like a dream,” he said. “It was a historic day for everyone of us associated with the game of cricket and Nepali sports overall.”
With the North Gate entrance already buzzing with vibrant Nepali supporters, the Edrich Stand witnessed a fanfare that is normally seen among legend of Indian and Pakistani fans whenever the two Asian cricketing giants clash. Just a few metres away from the JP Morgan Media Centre, Nepali fans arrived in hordes with traditional Nepali musical instruments. But the Lord’s security staff denied the fans from taking the instruments and Nepali flags inside the stadium. But there was no stopping for the vocal crowds. Every single run, wicket, four and six were cheered as Nepalis took the Lord’s by surprise. Khum Raj Pathak, a 32-year-old PhD student in Kent, was cheering on his team. “It was really wonderful, a proud feeling for us. To watch our team play at this historic ground and emerge as winners...you cannot possibly ask for more,” said Pathak.
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