Rain in Florida spoils fun for Nepali cricket fans

By Nayak Paudel/Govinda Regmi, Kathmandu/Florida, June 13: The eyes of many cricket enthusiasts around the globe were fixed in Florida, USA, for the match between Nepal and Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup on Wednesday. 

While Nepal was looking for their first win against a Test nation, it was a must-win match for Sri Lanka after two losses – against South Africa and Bangladesh – in the campaign already. 

Moreover, the support for Nepali cricket demonstrated in Dallas, USA, had raised expectations of how the support would be for the young team at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. The fans did not disappoint, but the rain did.

The Stadium, which had a capacity of 14,000 viewers, saw around 5,000 Nepali supporters arriving despite the rain. While the delay was extending and officials were waiting to resume the match, thousands of Nepali fans kept the stadium buzzing for hours until the match was called off and the two teams were awarded a point each.

“We were excited to see Nepal win in front of us. We were prepared for this moment for two months. However, the rain stood as the villain. I was happy to see so many Nepalis under one roof. It felt like I was in Nepal,” said Raj Kumar Shrestha, a resident of Butwal who currently lives in West Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife and two children.

Shrestha had procured the match tickets for his whole family two months ago. 

Nepalis from nearby were not the only ones who reached the stadium for the match. Nepali fans from different states and outside the USA had also arrived in Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium.

The Nepali cricket squad did a lap of honour to respect the support of the fans who came to the stadium. 

“Quite extraordinary support. Such a shame about the rain but I spoke to fans who had come from 40+ different states of America and quite a few who had flown in from Nepal and Australia too. Just the most beautiful and joyous passion,” Irish commentator Andrew Leonard commended in a post by the ICC regarding the support for Nepal in Florida. 

Meanwhile, speaking with the journalists in the pre-match conference, Nepal’s skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel shared confidence in defeating Sri Lanka. As the match was abandoned, Nepal’s coach Monty Desai, in the post-match conference, stressed that they wanted to win the point by playing.

“We added a point but we wanted it after playing. The match could not be organised as the field was wet. However, we are happy for the fans who came here despite the rain,” said Desai.

The fans waited hours for the match to start even after reducing the overs. Until then, the fans kept chanting ‘Nepal’ in the stadium, sang songs while playing traditional Nepali music instrument, danced, and congratulated the team for the next two matches against South Africa and Bangladesh in St. Vincent. 

Nepal will have to win the two matches to keep the hopes to qualify for the Super 8 alive. The addition of spinner Sandeep Lamichhane in the squad for the matches in the West Indies is expected to be a major boost for the team.

“The pitches in the West Indies are favourable to spinners. However, we are yet to confirm the conditions this time. Sandeep was a major member in helping Nepal reach the World Cup and his abilities are well-known to all,” said Desai.

The match between Bangladesh and the Netherlands on June 13 at Arnos Vale Ground, Arnos Vale, St Vincent, is said to provide insights on the ground before Nepal faces South Africa on June 15.