Nepal's Himalayan Dream: 15 Cricketers Carry Hopes of 30 Million Fans to T20 World Cup

• Nepal's national cricket team, backed by 30 million fans, is set to compete in the T20 World Cup, starting with a match against England at Wankhede Stadium on February 8.
• Indian cricketer Priyank Panchal noted the unique warmth and genuine passion for cricket in Nepal during his stint with Karnali Yaks in the Nepal Premier League.
• Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) president Chatur Bahadur Chand highlights the strong fan support, with brisk ticket sales for Nepal's matches and a goal to expand infrastructure with five stadiums by 2030.
• The team, led by Rohit Paudel and featuring star player Sandeep Lamichhane, aims to qualify for the Super Eights, with experts like Panchal believing they can cause upsets.
• CAN acknowledges support from ICC chairman Jay Shah and the Indian embassy, with plans to develop first-class cricket after the T20 World Cup.

Why It Matters: Nepal's cricket team, fueled by immense fan passion and growing infrastructure, aims for T20 World Cup success.