Oman’s cricketers might have broken the hearts of thousands of Nepal supporters in the first Cricket World Cup League Two match in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
But the home faithful at least feel a part-share in the success of the Oman side, especially when Suraj Kumar scored the winning runs in a six-wicket win over United States a day later.
The wicketkeeper was born at brought up in India, but both his parents are from Nepal, and he speaks Nepali as his first language at home.
This series is the first time he has been to Kathmandu, and his mother and father are here to support him.
In the opening match, against the host nation, he was cheered throughout the warm-ups, and welcomed to the wicket as though he was a Nepal player.
He made a two-ball duck on that occasion. A day later, though, he played a crucial role in seeing Oman to the 214 they needed to beat USA, and go level with them at the top of the CWCL2.
Suraj made 33 not out off 35, and chipped the third ball of the final over extra cover for two to seal the win – much to the delight of those supporters who had made it to Tribhuvan University for the game.
“I had kept an eye on the board and knew exactly what was required,” Suraj said.
“I chatted with my partner [Mohammed Nadeem, who scored a second undefeated half-century in the space of 24 hours].
"I said I wanted to settle down and take my time, as I didn’t want to make the same mistake as yesterday. I just wanted to spend time at the wicket, and be sure to take the side through.”
The 31-year-old wicketkeeper is proud of the way Nepal’s supporters have taken him to their hearts, since his heritage became known after he scored a half-century in a T20 match against them last year.
“Before coming here, I was getting any number of messages from locals asking when we were coming to Nepal,” he said.
“They have been keeping an eye on me since we played in a pentangular series with Nepal [before last year’s T20 World Cup Qualifier].
“They all started following me on social media, and were keeping track of what I was doing. They have all been behind me, saying I was part of Nepal, and that they are really proud of me.”
The win was Oman’s sixth from eight games in the competition, which is quite some feat for a side who rarely warrant much attention in the world game.
“Touch wood, the national team has been doing really well,” Jatinder Singh, the Oman opener, said. “We have seen a drastic change. In terms of getting attention, that will happen.
“It is too early to say things like, ‘We are not getting enough attention.’ We still need to cement our place.
“It is about going and winning. Those things really matter a lot. We cannot just demand attention.
“It is about going overseas and winning tournaments. That will make a huge difference.”
