Nepali Diaspora Fuels Cricket's Growth in the USA

The Nepali diaspora, turning out in large numbers to support their national team, is set to play a pivotal role in the future of cricket in the USA. On a Tuesday morning in Dallas, Texas, Nepal faced the Netherlands in a World Cup match at the Grand Prairie Stadium. Despite the unlikeliness of such a fixture in this setting, the stadium was bustling with 5,500 Nepali fans, creating a vibrant atmosphere far removed from their homeland.

Dutch bowler Logan van Beek, commenting during the innings break, was astonished by the fan turnout, expressing uncertainty whether they were in Dallas or Nepal. This scene was replicated in Florida, where, despite the cancellation of Nepal’s match against Sri Lanka due to rain, thousands of fans remained in high spirits, singing and dancing under the downpour.

One fan's sign declared that Nepali supporters would attend matches even on the moon if the ICC scheduled them there. This was evident as fans arrived at the stadium despite local weather advisories urging people not to travel.

Nepal’s deep-rooted passion for cricket is well-documented, with packed stands in Kathmandu and cricketers adorning city billboards. However, the same fervor being seen in American stands is less understood. The Nepali-American community is the fastest-growing Asian demographic in the USA. Census data showed just 7,858 Nepalis in the US at the turn of the century, a number that has now surged to over 200,000, with some estimates suggesting it could be closer to 300,000.

The Nepalese civil war from 1996 to 2006 and the devastating 2015 earthquake, which claimed nearly 10,000 lives, were major catalysts for this migration. The Nepali Centre for the Study of Labour and Mobility estimates that about 1,700 people leave Nepal daily in search of employment.

Eight years ago, one such individual, Binod BK, now an area manager for Amazon, moved to the US to pursue a master’s degree after the earthquake. Binod was present in the stands for Nepal’s rain-affected match against Sri Lanka. He explained that many Nepalis dream of coming to America for the opportunities it offers, calling it the "American dream."

While each immigrant's story is unique, the Diversity Visa program and student visas are the most common entry points. Introduced in 1990, the Diversity Visa program allocates 55,000 visas annually to countries with historically low immigration rates to the USA, with Nepal consistently being a top beneficiary. For instance, in 2024, Nepal received the third-highest allocation of visas in Asia, nearly 4,000. Although the 2024 applicant numbers are not yet available, over 600,000 Nepalese applied in 2020, out of 14 million global applicants.

Binod shared his experience of trying for a diversity visa multiple times before successfully obtaining a student visa. According to the US International Institute of Education, Nepal ranks 11th in the number of students in the USA, with a population of 15,000, a remarkable increase considering the total Nepali population in the US was less than 10,000 just 25 years ago.

The growing Nepali population in the US bodes well for the expansion of cricket. Much of the current grassroots cricket growth in America stems from second- or third-generation South Asian families encouraging their children to play the sport. Nepal is following a similar trajectory, but is about 20 years behind in this aspect.

The Nepali-American community is notably youthful. The median age in the US is 38, and for immigrants, it is 47. However, the average age of a Nepali American is 30. Many young Nepali immigrants, like Binod, are establishing careers and planning to settle in the US. Sanjay Sharma, who moved to Dallas in 2003, expressed his desire for his three-year-old son to embrace cricket and inherit his Nepali identity, similar to how Indian and Pakistani communities have integrated the sport into their lives in the US.

The World Cup has united the Nepali community in America, drawing fans from across the country to support their team. Sharma observed that the crowd includes both cricket enthusiasts and those who simply want to support their homeland. Some fans had never watched cricket before but felt compelled to attend because their country was playing.

Before the match against the Netherlands, hundreds of fans attended an event hosted by cricket broadcaster Andrew Leonard in Dallas. Leonard, who has covered cricket in Nepal over 25 times, remarked on the overwhelming response in Texas, with people attending from over 35 states. Nicknamed "Taklu Dai" (bald older brother) by Nepali fans, Leonard cherishes the connection and finds the Nepali sense of humour and community spirit similar to the Irish.

The Nepali fan base's enthusiasm has led to an increase in Nepali players in local leagues and teams in the USA. Sharma, reflecting on the current cricket scene in Dallas, noted the significant growth compared to a decade ago. He was a co-owner of Lumbini All Stars, the winning franchise in Nepal's T20 league for the 2022-23 season, and now serves as the CEO of Dallas All Stars, a team in the T10 US Open featuring several international players.

As cricket continues to grow in America, the contribution of the Nepali community will be vital. Their passion and expanding presence are likely to play a significant role in the sport’s future in the US.