Cricket fans lose it over 'pic of the year' in Nepal World Cup qualifier
The cricket world has been left stunned after thousands watched on in Nepal as The Rhinos qualified for the Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 after defeating the UAE in a thriller. (Images: @CricketNep/Getty Images)
The cricket world has watched on in awe as Nepal qualified for the Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 after defeating the UAE on the Duckworth Lewis System. In front of a raucous fanbase at Tribhuvan University Ground, Nepal booked their place for the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe after a nine-run victory in controversial circumstances.
And you could see just how much it meant to Nepal, who now go into a 10 team qualification tournament, with players streaming onto the pitch to celebrate. Nepal needed 42 runs off 36 balls when the umpires came together in the middle of the pitch.
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Bad light appeared to be impacting play and the umpires made the huge call with just six overs left. "Well, what is going to happen here. My oh my. They are going off and I am not sure if the crowd knows it," commentator Andrew Leonard said.
"We are going to check. I think this could be the moment. They are sprinting on and they know they are ahead on DLS. This is extraordinary...the crowd think they are going to Zimbabwe."
Nepal were ahead on DLS and taking the two points meant they jumped in front of Namibia on the table to secure one more chance of qualification in the next phase. The batters at the time appeared to be unaware of the score until their teammates ran onto the pitch in jubilation. While the match finished in dramatic circumstances, the scenes surrounding the game could only fill cricket fans with joy.
Nepal might be in the Cricket World Cup League 2 division, but their support is top tier. Rivalling some of the top atmospheres in world cricket, Nepal fans turned up in the thousands to cheer on their team.
Fans were photographed climbing trees outside the stadium to get a glimpse of their team's historic moment. Scottish international cricketer Kyle Coetzer described the images as 'simply amazing', while the Barmy Army social account also acknowledged the stunning scenes.
The Rhinos were able to successfully chase down the UAE's 310 (with the help of DLS) after Bhim Sarki scored 67 runs and and Kushal Bhurtel posted 50 for their combined partnership. Then Aarif Sheikh hit 52 runs in the middle overs to help lead the charge.
Teen Gulsan Jha scored 50 not out in the back-end of the innings to help Nepal get to the required runs before bad light stopped play and The Rhinos claimed the vital two points.
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