In the aftermath of their narrow defeat to England, the Nepali national cricket team has expressed a mix of heartbreak and soaring confidence. Speaking in a video released by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the Rhinos reflected on a match where they pushed the defending T20 World Cup champions to the absolute limit, ultimately falling just short but winning hearts and respect globally.
The Final Over Heartbreak The match came down to the wire, with Nepal needing runs in the final over bowled by England’s experienced Sam Curran. "In the final over, I was thinking that one hit would bring the game to our side," recalled Lokesh Bam involved in the chase. "When Sam Curran missed a ball, I thought I could convert it into a boundary and keep us in the game."
Reflecting on the dismissal that ended the chase, Lokesh Bam admitted to second-guessing his shot selection. "After the match ended, I felt I should have tried something different-maybe a scoop or a sweep. Those thoughts are still in my mind," he shared, adding that he hopes to be better prepared if a similar situation arises in the future.
The mood in the dugout during those final moments was one of almost certain victory. "When 11 runs were needed off 8 balls... we felt we had already won," Sher Malla noted. "We were already thinking about how to celebrate, rushing from the stairs to the ground. The feeling of victory was already there". However, they credited Curran for executing his plans well under pressure against experienced opposition.
"Lokesh's Best Innings"
The team was effusive in their praise for Lokesh Bam, whose innings was a highlight of the match. Lalit Rajbanshi described it as arguably Lokesh's best innings to date. "He adapted to the situation instantly and transformed his skills to match the moment," Lalit remarked. He noted that Lokesh had previously expressed a desire to face England and bowlers like Jofra Archer to learn and improve, making his performance even more significant. "I think this innings is memorable not just for Lokesh, but for all of us," Kushal Bhurtel added.
A Debut to Remember For Sher Malla, the match marked a dream debut against two-times world champion. "Taking a cap from Paras Khadka, a true legend... I was very happy, emotional, and nervous," Malla said regarding his debut. "To take a wicket on the first ball against a country that has won two World Cups is a huge achievement"
The team celebrated the spirited bowling performance, highlighting the contributions of Sher, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra and others who stifled the English batters. "We kept taking wickets and breaking small partnerships, which created a great environment," Kushal Bhurtel said.
Belief and The Road Ahead
Despite the loss, the overwhelming sentiment within the camp is one of belonging on the big stage. "We have sent a strong statement to world cricket that we can compete with and beat any team," Lalit asserted.
The support from the fans at the Wankhede Stadium and back home remains a massive source of motivation. Players described the atmosphere as electrifying, with Lokesh stating, "It felt like we were playing at TU (Tribhuvan University Ground), not Wankhede".
"We are disappointed the result didn't go our way, but we are boosted by this match," the team consensus indicated. "Our confidence level has risen. We feel we can beat any team now".
As Nepal looks forward to upcoming fixtures, the message to the fans is clear: keep believing. "Just as we competed against a two-time champion team, a strong belief has grown in all of us," the players concluded. "We will take this confidence into the next games".
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