Cricket was not just Minas' passion, it was his life. His cricketing journey, which began on the school grounds, culminated in becoming the captain of the Koshi Province team and eventually becoming a national-level cricketer.
What you should know
Biratnagar, shrouded in mist, was fast asleep on Wednesday midnight. The streets were deserted, the lights were dimly lit. In that quiet night, no one knew that Nepali cricket was losing a young player with dreams.
Suddenly, a thunderstorm struck. At around 1:45 pm, a motorcycle bearing the number 1-02-042P-8002 lost control and crashed on an inner road section of Biratnagar-4. In the same accident, talented cricketer Minas Thapa, 27, died leaving an incomplete 'innings'.
When he was taken to Koshi Hospital, the doctors declared him dead. That sentence was not a medical term, it was the moment when his mother's world collapsed, it was news of his brother's trust being broken, and a deep pain for millions of cricket fans.
Minas was a resident of Chandni Chowk, Biratnagar-5. After his father disappeared about a decade and a half ago, the responsibility of the family fell on his and his mother's shoulders. For mother Tanuja Thapa, Minas was not just a son, he was the support of her life. For brother Pradeep, he was not just a brother, but a role model. He was the inspiration to dream, 'I also play cricket like my brother.'
Cricket was not just Minas's hobby, it was his life. The cricket journey that started from the school grounds was to become the captain of the Koshi Province team and reach the national level cricket. He worked hard for more than 9 years. Despite limited resources, few opportunities and numerous challenges, he never gave up. Getting the opportunity to play in the franchise league was a testament to his hard work. Former national player and coach Manoj Katuwal says, ‘Minas never gave up, whether in life or on the field.’
However, time betrayed him. He was not allowed to play long innings. Leaving his dream of playing more innings unfulfilled, Minas disappeared from the cricket players and supporters forever. ‘His dream was to play more games in the national jersey, but it remained unfulfilled,’ said his uncle and cricket coach Pushpa Thapa, ‘The plan to build his mother’s house, give his brother a good education and make a future in cricket was shattered.’
Nepal Cricket Association Secretary Paras Khadka said that with Minas’s death, Nepali cricket has lost not only a talented batsman, but also a struggling player. He was a player who never stopped dreaming despite limited resources. He is no more today, but his dream will continue to inspire many young people.
