T20 World Cup: From fanboys to competitors, Nepal are keen to make up for lost time

Thrilling fixtures involving non-Test playing nations in the opening days of the T20 World Cup have already proved the value in expanding the competition.

Aaron Jones’ record-equalling haul of 10 sixes for the United States was the perfect start for the hosts as they beat Canada in the competition curtain-raiser.

Papua New Guinea posed a real threat to the other co-hosts, West Indies, before being beaten in Guyana. And then Oman and Namibia had to be split by a Super Over.

On Tuesday, the Associate nation with the biggest following of all will make their long-awaited return to the global stage.

Expectations on Nepal weigh far greater than on any side beyond cricket’s mainstream – and even many inside the elite.

The first-round game against the Netherlands will be their first for 10 years, and their absence has been keenly felt by their millions of supporters.

Nepal have not been entirely without big match experience over recent times. Their upturn in form over the past two years has led to fixtures against leading nations.

In 50-over cricket, they faced West Indies at the ODI World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe last summer. A few months after that they played against India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup.

In each match they started brightly, before lapses at vital moments saw them spiral off towards defeat, each time by hefty margins.

Monty Desai, the Nepal coach, says his side need to start believing they belong on the same field as the stars of the game if they are to create upsets at the T20 World Cup.

“There is a shift in the mind when they start feeling like they belong,” Desai said.

“This is a real test, and again they have the opportunity to do that. We have an opportunity to play at a World Cup and start believing that