Kathmandu (IANS): Thousands of Nepali cricket fans here burst into frenzied celebrations after a thrilling T20 World Cup win against Afghanistan Thursday.
Capital city Kathmandu saw dozens of spontaneous mass gatherings cheering “Nepal, Nepal” waving the national flag.
The cricket fever spared none — gripping all from the common man right up to the country’s president, Ram Baran Yadav.
Several big screens were installed in major corners of the city where the match was broadcast live. Thousands of Nepali cricket fans assembled with Nepali jerseys and extended support to the national team.
People were exchanging greetings and best wishes even on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.
Though Nepalis love football more than cricket, the nation’s recent ticket to World T20 has changed the entire cricket landscape of the country.
“You made us proud and gave us a reason to dream,” writes Krishna Dangi, an avid cricket lover on his Facebook wall.
As gradually cricket started taking a grip on Nepali youth, the Prime Minister’s Office instructed state-owned power monopoly Nepal Electricity Authority not to do load shedding when Nepal was playing. Currently Nepal is reeling under 12-hour load shedding daily.
Though the development of cricket in Nepal is in a nascent phase, the Nepal government Wednesday announced constitution of a Cricket Academy in Nepal and will construct a state of art stadium on the outskirts of Kathmandu valley for the promotion of the game.
“Our guys really made us proud in Bangladesh today,” said former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in a statement.
The Kantipur Media Group, the largest media house in Nepal, has announced a cash prize of NRs 1 million for the team.
