“The way we bowled and batted, I think we belong here,” says Captain Paudel

In a thrilling encounter at the ongoing T20 World Cup, Nepal narrowly missed out on a historic victory against South Africa, with the match ending in a one-run win for the Proteas. Despite the heartbreaking result, Nepal’s skipper, Rohit Paudel, remains upbeat about his team’s performance and prospects in the tournament.

Nepal, placed in Group D alongside formidable teams like South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands, has shown remarkable resilience throughout the competition. Their penultimate league game against South Africa saw them on the brink of a sensational upset, needing just two runs off the final two balls before a spirited performance by Tabraiz Shamsi turned the tide in South Africa’s favor.

Reflecting on Nepal’s performance, Rohit Paudel expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete at this level. “I feel like the way we played today; it shows that we belong here. The way we bowled and batted, I think we belong here,” Paudel remarked during the post-match press conference. He emphasized the importance of gaining confidence from their performance against South Africa, looking ahead to their upcoming match against Bangladesh.

When asked about the tense moments towards the end of the South Africa game, Paudel remained composed, highlighting the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. “I didn’t feel anything. I was just there in the moment,” he explained. “T20 is a fast game. The game shifts with two good balls or even a boundary. So, I think being present is essential.”

Had Nepal emerged victorious against South Africa, their next match against Bangladesh would have been a decisive knockout encounter. Despite missing out on that opportunity, Paudel asserted that Nepal would approach their final group game with pride and determination. “We’ll play for pride. Especially, we wanted to beat a Test playing country,” he said. “The confidence which today we got, so we want to carry that.”

As Nepal prepares to face Bangladesh in their final group stage match, Rohit Paudel’s optimism and determination reflect the spirit of a team eager to make a mark on the international stage. While the knockout stages may be out of reach this time, Nepal’s journey in the T20 World Cup has already captured hearts and inspired cricket fans worldwide.