Nepal creates waves at T20 World Cup, inspiring father in Punjab
Nepal's strong performance at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup in the Caribbean had a huge impact thousands of miles away in Punjab, India. Sompal Kami, who was batting for Nepal against cricket powerhouse South Africa, came agonizingly close to scripting a historic victory for his country. However, the nail-biting match ended in a narrow one-run loss, crushing the dreams of Kami and Nepal fans worldwide.
One such devoted fan following the team's progress very closely was Sompal's father, Ram Bahadur Thapa. Thapa, who hails from Nepal but now lives and works in Patiala, Punjab, took a day off from his job just to watch his son play on television. He woke up extra early in the morning to cheer on Sompal as Nepal chased South Africa's total. When Sompal smashed a mammoth six in the 19th over to bring Nepal to the brink of victory, Ram Bahadur was overwhelmed with joy and pride.
Unfortunately, a mix-up in the following delivery cost Nepal the game and denied Sompal a chance to win it for his team. A distraught Ram Bahadur said his son could have finished the match had he faced the final ball. Though disappointed, he remains a proud supporter of Sompal and Nepal cricket. Ram's family migrated to India decades ago, but he has stayed connected to his roots in Nepal through his son's cricket career.
Having trained for many years at the famous Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports in Patiala, Sompal earned selection for Nepal in 2014. He has since become an integral member of the squad. This year's T20 World Cup marks Nepal's return to the event after a 10-year absence. Under the leadership of former captain Paras Khadka, who enjoys god-like status back home, Nepal has shown tremendous growth.
Exciting future ahead for rising Nepal cricket
In their opening match against stronger rivals Netherlands, Nepal competed well before falling short. The real highlight was their splendid fight against South Africa, where they very nearly sealed an iconic win. Though victory eluded them, Nepal generated positive buzz worldwide with their spirited performance. Former captain Gyanendra Malla believes it has laid the foundation for greater glories in the years to come. As Nepal continues its steady rise in international cricket, more inspirational tales like that of the Kami family are sure to emerge.
