Nepal is mad about cricket. Today they play Namibia in a qualifying round of the one-day cricket World Cup. Their best cricket venue is a small capacity ground at the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu. I thought I could turn up, get my ticket at the gate and enjoy a days cricket. Wrong. Tickets were sold out so I joined about 12,000 other enthusiasts vying for a view point outside of the ground. There are about as many outside as there are in the grounds. What a waste of revenue for the ICC. Nepal are given 196 runs to win after Namibia wins the toss and bats. The atmosphere is fantastic and men, women and children are here patriotically supporting their team. I’m next to some keen followers who know more about Australian cricket than I do. They are lovers of the true game, test cricket, and are more excited about the Ashes series than any World Cup. Australia is a big influence here and are active in developing the game in Nepal. Last year Australia played a memorial match against Nepal to ho our Phil Hughes, who tragically died playing the game in Melbourne. Hughes has many fans here and they even organized for his bat and shirt to be taken to the top of the world in his honour, atop Mount Evetest. There are plans to make the Phil Hughes memorial game an annual event.
The crowd is so enthusiastic that 600 police are here to try and manage behavior. There is no alcohol insight to drive this enthusiasm. It’s pure and natural.
I stay for most of the game, leaving earlier to beat a departing crowd. On the way to the bus I can hear the crowd roar. It’s a good sign. I left with Nepal in a good position to win the game and these roars suggest the game is under control. I get back to the hotel to learn that Nepal has indeed won. The crown would have gone crazy! They play Namibia again on Monday.
Amazingly as I was walking to the game, Dipak was coming out on his bike. He’s been checking his hives nearby.
angusmccoll 