Nepal seal direct entry to Cricket World Cup Qualifier after dramatic win over UAE

Well, did you really think they were going to do it easy? Nepal? The side whose alias of “The Cardiac Kids” has been hard earned over years of putting their fans through heart-stopping finishes?

On Thursday, in the last game of 126 across three-and-a-half years in Cricket World Cup League 2, the Tribhuvan University ground in Kathmandu was one big, national cardiogram.

The capacity at Nepal’s international cricket venue is said to be 18,000. But many more were in attendance to see their must-win fixture with UAE.

Two hours before the 9.30am start, the queue of spectators awaiting entry snaked hundreds of metres from the ground’s lone entry gate.

An hour before, ticketless supporters were already scaling the perimeter walls, which are topped with rusty barbed wire, to get in.

Surge after surge of hundreds made it through the main gate, until the police – between them armed with sticks, rifles and riot shields – gave up on that idea altogether. They threw the gates open, and held the line themselves instead.

Thousands watched on from any vantage they could find. Midway through the first innings, fans outside started ripping down advertising hoardings that soared above the walls, impairing their view.

Some hardy souls married two of Nepal’s great loves – cricket and climbing – as they watched from the highest branches of neighbouring trees.

It seemed as though it was a badge of honour for those who ascended to the very top to carry with them a Nepal flag, as though this was some sort of summit climb.

Literally anyone who was anyone wanted to be there. Before the anthems, Nepal’s prime minister was presented to meet the two teams.

Once the songs had played, a single flare emitting a plume of blue smoke was started on the