Subcontinental religion converts a few in Nepal

Fate — and a serious knee operation for his mother — then pulled the plug on his India dreams,but the skills sharpened in Mumbai came in handy as he was fast-tracked into the Nepal junior team,as captain that too. His rise ever since has coincided with the improvement in the standards of Nepal cricket.

“My parents were really proud I was playing for Nepal. Our junior cricket has improved drastically. Despite little backing from the government,our junior cricket has improved drastically,” he says.

The Manchester United fan celebrated his hat-trick against Denmark during the qualifiers sliding on his chest,like a goal-scorer in football — the sport most Nepalese prefer playing and watching. The lack of support for cricket is something Kathmandu-raised Khadka has always had to contend with.

“There is no money in cricket. We all have to depend on coaching in schools and colleges to make a living,” says the 24-year-old skipper.

Interestingly,big-stage football and cricket arrived on television sets in Nepal around the1990s and it had an effect. “My family really got into cricket after watching the 1992 World Cup. Pakistan’s win was really inspirational,” recalls Khadka.

While Gauchan did have sponsors for his cricketing equipment a few years ago,the rest of the Nepalese team depend on their foreign tours to buy new gear. And in addition to now dreaming about playing alongside India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup one day,Khadka and his boys insist that the new stadium coming up in Pokhra could be the most exotic venue for cricket ever.