Nepal’s participation in the 2024 T20 International World Cup ended with three defeats and one abandoned match. Though some moments drew international attention to Nepali cricket, the team wrapped up with an average performance. Interestingly, Nepali fans and their loyalty gained more accolades than the team’s performance itself. The surging fan base for Nepali cricket, both within and outside the country, has become a global talking point. There are several factors behind this rising passion for Nepal’s cricket team.
Nepalis are disappointed with the continuous degradation of the country’s global reputation, rising unemployment, and social chaos. Amid these challenges, Nepali cricket, which is making strides in the international arena, has emerged as a beacon of hope among citizens, spreading optimism and positivity. The positive outlook evoked by cricket has provided a much-needed distraction to Nepalis from their country’s challenges and connected them to the spirit of cricket, increasing its popularity.
At the same time, Nepalis are desperately in search of a new identity. For centuries, Nepal’s identity has been shaped as the land of Buddha and Mount Everest. However, with the increasing number of Gen Z Nepalis and the advancing presence of the Nepali diaspora, there is a need for a new national identity that resonates with the modern world. In this context, cricket has emerged as a promising avenue with the potential to shape Nepal’s identity as a land of cricket enthusiasts. Some people have even started advocating cricket as Nepal’s new religion. This craving for a reshaped identity, especially among the younger generations, has increased their inclination towards the game of cricket.
The need for a shared Nepali identity is all the more salient as the politics of division is at play in Nepal. Political leaders are adopting slogans favoring the politics of geography, caste, and ethnicity to increase their political clout. This has heightened the divide among Nepali citizens, ultimately weakening national unity and identity. The ascent of a political party to power gives a sense of victory to one group of people while others feel oppressed, aggravating the sense of division. Within this framework, Nepalis are looking for a cause to unite them. It has been observed that when the national cricket team competes internationally, all Nepalis unite together to support their team, disregarding their political, geographical, and ethnic differences, thereby fostering a sense of national identity. This warmth of unity achieved through cricket has attracted more and more people to associate with it.
Many sports enthusiasts in Nepal grew up idolizing foreign sports icons, particularly in cricket and football, the country’s two most celebrated sports. However, deep down, every Nepali felt the absence of their own national sports hero who could carry Nepal to the international stage and whom Nepali fans could cherish. Nepal’s football team, which used to be the most popular sport, could not excel beyond the South Asian region. However, cricket has managed to represent the country on a global platform. Nepali fans have become hopeful about the rise of international cricket icons from Nepal, which has been fueled by the rise of cricketers like Sandeep Lamichhane. This potential displayed by cricket to gratify the ages-old desires of fans to have their own icon has also attracted a lot of Nepali sports enthusiasts to rally behind cricket.
Given this context in which Nepali cricket is gaining international attention, Nepal should invest in its upliftment. The further development of cricket demands the government’s responsibility and accountability in developing physical infrastructure, checking the over-politicization of cricketing agencies, organizing international tournaments, and collaborating with private sectors and Nepali diaspora.
A well-developed cricket culture can help Nepal harness this sport as a diplomatic tool to exert soft power – a country’s ability to attract or influence others without resorting to force or coercion. This strategy was effectively employed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official visit to Nepal in 2018. In a situation where Nepalis were offended by India’s unofficial blockade of the border in 2015, Modi, while addressing the Nepali Parliament, talked about Sandeep Lamichhane, the first Nepali cricketer to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Modi tried to rebuild relationships and win the hearts of Nepalis by appreciating Lamichhane’s talent and explaining cricketing opportunities for Nepalis in India as a bridge to strengthen people-to-people ties between two countries.
Reflecting on this, Nepal should work toward branding itself as a desirable cricketing destination. Nepal can present itself as a venue to host matches like India versus Pakistan, where finding a neutral venue is usually contentious. Organizing such matches will not only redefine Nepal’s cricket identity but also showcase the country’s ability to mediate, enhancing its soft power in the region. Moreover, Nepal should encourage players from different nations to participate in its domestic leagues, serving as a platform for cultural connections and diplomatic exchange.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is on a mission to directly reach 300 million fans by 2032 as part of its global growth strategy. However, organizing international quality matches in countries with modern stadiums but insignificant spectators will not contribute to achieving this goal. Such activities will confine cricket within the boundaries of the stadium, making it an elite sport and restricting its potential to be a common man’s game.
It is imperative for the ICC to concentrate on countries like Nepal, where the popularity of cricket is booming. Thousands of spectators gather even on weekdays to watch their team play in Nepal, evidencing it to be fertile ground for the expansion of cricket. An ICC focus on developing cricket infrastructure and regularly conducting high-profile matches in Nepal can bolster the country’s strong presence in world cricket, also helping the ICC achieve its ambitious target.
South Asia is the powerhouse of international cricket, home to World Cup winners like India (which will play South Africa in the final of this year’s World Cup), Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, as well as strong contenders like Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Remarkably, 90 percent of cricket’s global revenue is generated from India alone. Given this context, Nepal, as India’s closest neighbor, has a unique opportunity to seek cricket expertise and share technical strengths with India.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his visit to Nepal in 2024, promised Nepali cricketers an access to Indian cricket grounds as their home grounds. If implemented, this commitment could significantly improve Nepal’s performance in upcoming matches. Facilitating the participation of Nepali players in Indian domestic leagues can also be instrumental in their capacity building. In addition to maximizing the utilization of its own resources and technical assistance from India, Nepal should utilize the experiences of other South Asian countries to develop its cricket.