Nepal's captain, Rohit Paudel, exudes confidence ahead of their crucial ICC T20 World Cup 2024 encounter against Asian powerhouse Sri Lanka. Despite being labeled as underdogs, Paudel remains resolute in his team's ability to seize victory. Embracing a fearless mentality, he emphasizes that Nepal, with nothing to lose, should only harbor thoughts of triumph. The tournament has already witnessed its share of surprises, and Paudel is determined to script Nepal's own Cinderella story. Placed in a group featuring cricketing heavyweights like South Africa, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Nepal faces a daunting challenge. Yet, Paudel remains undeterred, firm in his belief that his team can defy the odds, particularly against Sri Lanka.

With only one match played thus far, Nepal's upcoming fixture carries immense significance. Paudel recognizes the opportunity not just to cause an upset but also to etch their mark in cricketing annals. His unwavering belief in manifesting positivity within the team reflects his leadership ethos, inspiring his players to rise to the occasion.

Tomorrow's match holds the promise of history in the making, driven not only by the potential for an upset but also by Paudel's vision for Nepal's cricketing journey. As they prepare to face the challenge, Nepal stands poised to seize their moment on the grand stage of the T20 World Cup.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo on the eve of the crucial fixture, Rohit Paudel exuded optimism for Nepal's prospects in the upcoming clash. Reflecting on the series of upsets witnessed in this T20 World Cup edition, Paudel highlighted how the confidence of the Nepali team has been buoyed by the success of ICC Associate members against established cricketing nations. Drawing inspiration from these unexpected victories, Paudel views Nepal's encounter against Sri Lanka as an opportunity rather than a daunting challenge. He emphasized the team's thorough preparations, indicating their readiness to take on the one-time World T20 champions with full force.

Paudel's confidence stems from the collective efforts and dedication exhibited by the team over the past year. He firmly believes that their meticulous preparation and hard work will pay dividends on the field, allowing Nepal to emerge victorious against Sri Lanka. As they gear up for the encounter at the Central Broward Regional Park in Florida, Paudel instills faith in his team's ability to deliver a memorable performance on the grand stage of the ICC T20 World Cup.

"If you see in this World Cup, you'll see that the Associate team is beating Test-playing countries. So, it is a motivation for all of us, especially moving forward to tomorrow's game. So as a team, we believe that we are going to win tomorrow and the way we have been preparing for the last couple of months and the way we have been playing cricket for the last one and a half years, I think the belief is always there in the team and we are looking forward to tomorrow's game," said Nepal captain Rohit Paudel in a recent interview.