India vs Nepal bilateral? Ex-India batter urges ICC reward for T20 World Cup show
India Today
Aakash Chopra has urged for more bilaterals and tournament opportunities for Nepal after their thrilling four-run fight against England in Mumbai. He said rising teams deserve sustained support, not fleeting World Cup attention.
Former India batter Aakash Chopra has thrown his weight behind Nepal’s cricketing rise, urging the ICC to do more than just clap politely every World Cup cycle. After Nepal’s thrilling four-run loss against England in Mumbai, Chopra said it is time the associate side is rewarded with more bilaterals and regular tournaments, not just a moment in the spotlight every two years.
Nepal’s fearless chase, backed by an electric fan takeover at the Wankhede, has become one of the early stories of the T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra made it clear that the cricket world cannot keep treating teams like Nepal as temporary guests at the big party.
ENG vs NEP, T20 World Cup 2026: Highlights | Scorecard
“I am going to talk about what we are doing with associate or slightly lower-ranked teams. It's token participation. It's a lip-service job,” Chopra said. “This is not an appreciation post, that they do well, and then you will remember them after two years.”
Nepal Cricket, you have our hearts #Aakashvani #ENGvsNEP #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/wFWGA0HOTC— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 8, 2026
Chopra pointed out how quickly the buzz around associate teams fades once the tournament ends.
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