Mumbai or Kathmandu? Passionate Nepal fans paint Wankhede red in England clash
Nepal fans flocked to Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for their T20 World Cup clash against England on Sunday. The passionate support underlined how Nepal's fans have long been the backbone of the national team, turning up in numbers and lending their voices wherever the side plays across the world.
Nepal fans ensured that on a sunny Mumbai afternoon, Wankhede Stadium briefly forgot it was by the Arabian Sea. From the colours of Nepal fluttering in the stands to rhythmic chants echoing across the Marine Drive end, it felt closer to Kathmandu than Mumbai as supporters turned up in astonishing numbers for the T20 World Cup clash against England on Sunday, February 8.
Long before the toss, a red wave had arrived — drums, flags and voices carrying the belief of a cricketing nation still writing its World Cup story. Nepal’s supporters, many travelling from across India and Nepal, transformed the iconic venue into a carnival.
ENG vs NEP, T20 World Cup Updates
Every dot ball drew roars, every England misstep was celebrated like a wicket. For a side ranked outside the world’s top 15, the crowd offered something priceless: a genuine home-away atmosphere against one of the tournament favourites.
FAN SUPPORT: HUGE BOOST FOR NEPAL CRICKET
Nepal’s rise in international cricket has been matched by a striking surge in fan support across formats and venues. At the T20 World Cup 2024, thousands of Nepali supporters packed Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas to back their team against the Netherlands, waving flags and generating a charged atmosphere despite early local start times.
Back home, the Nepal Premier League (NPL) has emerged as a phenomenon. Around 130,000 spectators attended 32 matches at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, with more than 60,000 fans travelling from outside the Kathmandu Valley — a clear reflection of the sport’s growing national footprint.
HOW HAS NEPAL PERFORMED IN THE T20 WORLD CUPS?
Nepal’s journey in the T20 World Cup has been one of steady progress and growing belief. The Rhinos first qualified for the global event in 2014, returned after a decade at the 2024 edition, and have now sealed their third consecutive appearance by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with an unbeaten run in the Asia & EAP Qualifier.
In their previous World Cup outings, Nepal gained valuable experience on the biggest stage, even though they did not advance beyond the group phase. Beyond World Cups, however, Nepal have delivered notable results in T20Is, including a historic 2–1 series victory over two-time champions West Indies in Sharjah in 2025 — a landmark triumph against a full ICC member.
At the T20 World Cup 2026, Nepal will compete in Group C, alongside England, West Indies, Bangladesh and Italy, as they continue to test themselves against established cricketing powers.
T20 World Cup | T20 World Cup Schedule | T20 World Cup Points Table | T20 World Cup Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
Nepal fans ensured that on a sunny Mumbai afternoon, Wankhede Stadium briefly forgot it was by the Arabian Sea. From the colours of Nepal fluttering in the stands to rhythmic chants echoing across the Marine Drive end, it felt closer to Kathmandu than Mumbai as supporters turned up in astonishing numbers for the T20 World Cup clash against England on Sunday, February 8.
Long before the toss, a red wave had arrived — drums, flags and voices carrying the belief of a cricketing nation still writing its World Cup story. Nepal’s supporters, many travelling from across India and Nepal, transformed the iconic venue into a carnival.
ENG vs NEP, T20 World Cup Updates
Every dot ball drew roars, every England misstep was celebrated like a wicket. For a side ranked outside the world’s top 15, the crowd offered something priceless: a genuine home-away atmosphere against one of the tournament favourites.
FAN SUPPORT: HUGE BOOST FOR NEPAL CRICKET
Nepal’s rise in international cricket has been matched by a striking surge in fan support across formats and venues. At the T20 World Cup 2024, thousands of Nepali supporters packed Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas to back their team against the Netherlands, waving flags and generating a charged atmosphere despite early local start times.
Back home, the Nepal Premier League (NPL) has emerged as a phenomenon. Around 130,000 spectators attended 32 matches at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, with more than 60,000 fans travelling from outside the Kathmandu Valley — a clear reflection of the sport’s growing national footprint.
HOW HAS NEPAL PERFORMED IN THE T20 WORLD CUPS?
Nepal’s journey in the T20 World Cup has been one of steady progress and growing belief. The Rhinos first qualified for the global event in 2014, returned after a decade at the 2024 edition, and have now sealed their third consecutive appearance by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with an unbeaten run in the Asia & EAP Qualifier.
In their previous World Cup outings, Nepal gained valuable experience on the biggest stage, even though they did not advance beyond the group phase. Beyond World Cups, however, Nepal have delivered notable results in T20Is, including a historic 2–1 series victory over two-time champions West Indies in Sharjah in 2025 — a landmark triumph against a full ICC member.
At the T20 World Cup 2026, Nepal will compete in Group C, alongside England, West Indies, Bangladesh and Italy, as they continue to test themselves against established cricketing powers.
T20 World Cup | T20 World Cup Schedule | T20 World Cup Points Table | T20 World Cup Videos | Cricket News | Live Score