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On Tuesday around noon, Nepal fans were spotted coming out of the stadium with a dejected look as their team suffered a six-wicket defeat to Netherlands in their opening game of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Despite being seeded in a tough group with South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Netherlands, their fans expected the team to go neck-and-neck with the so-called heavyweights, and their heavy support could pave the way for that.

On Tuesday, the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas seemed to be the home ground for Nepal as around five thousand fans turned the venue into a sea of blue, the colour of Nepal’s kits.

However, a defeat ensued, which touched them so heavily that they were barely able to talk their way back but still expressed signs of hope for the coming games.

‘It was a very good game. We were underdogs but tried our best. This was our home game. I, along with my friends, came from New York to watch the battle,’ said Amod Acharya, a fan who came from New York to Dallas.

‘Cricket is a big game in Nepal. We are working very hard. We are really hopeful to win against Bangladesh. We know Bangladesh are definitely a good team, so let’s see what happens.’

Bangladesh have only played Nepal once – during the 2014 T20 World Cup in Chattogram – and they came out winning by eight wickets.

Despite that, Bangladesh’s recent dismal run against Zimbabwe at home and then against USA in Dallas, have provided the Nepal fans with a firm belief of victory.

‘Since we found Bangladesh struggled against Zimbabwe and lost the series to USA, we had hope. But at the same time, I must acknowledge that Bangladesh are a better side than us,’ Amod said.

Another fan named Vishal Novani feels that since Bangladesh don’t have a few senior campaigners, it may pave the way for a Nepal victory.

‘We played against Bangladesh in the 2014 World Cup. I know Shakib Al Hasan, along with some other senior campaigners, was there. Now most of the cricketers in Bangladesh are young, which is why I believe Nepal can beat Bangladesh. I am expecting our cricketers to step up when the stage is big,’ he told ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·.