In a pulsating T20 World Cup 2026 encounter at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on February 8, minnows Nepal pushed mighty England to the brink in a last-over
thriller, falling just four runs short of a historic upset.
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bat first on a lively pitch, but the Associates produced a performance which they must be very proud of.
Nepal almost cause an Upset
England posted a competitive 184 for 7 in 20 overs. Jacob Bethell anchored the innings with a fluent 55 off 35 balls, while Brook contributed 53 off 32. Will Jacks provided explosive momentum with a rapid 39 off just 18 deliveries. Nepal's bowling was disciplined, led by all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, who claimed 2 for 23 and troubled the English middle order with his variations.
Chasing 185, Nepal began aggressively. Opener Kushal Bhurtel attacked early before falling, but the real fight came through the middle order. Airee smashed 44 off 29 balls, including several clean sixes, while captain Rohit Paudel played a mature anchor's role with 39 off 34. As the required rate climbed, Lokesh Bam turned the game into a spectacle with a blistering unbeaten 39 off 20 balls, launching Jofra Archer for three sixes in one over and sending the capacity crowd into frenzy.
The equation boiled down to 10 runs off the final over bowled by death specialist Sam Curran. Nepal needed a boundary or two to seal a famous win, but Curran varied his pace brilliantly, conceding just six runs as Nepal finished at 180 for 6. The last few deliveries were tense, with Nepal falling agonizingly short on the final ball.
Nepal's Positive Takeaways
Fearless and explosive batting display - Nepal chased 185 with courage, showcasing aggressive intent. Dipendra Singh Airee's explosive 44 off 29 and Lokesh Bam's unbeaten 39 off 20, including multiple sixes off Jofra Archer, proved the team can match top sides in high-pressure chases.
Disciplined and varied bowling unit - Nepal restricted England to 184/7 despite a strong batting line-up. Dipendra Singh Airee's economical spells (2/23) and smart variations troubled the English middle order, highlighting the Associates' growing bowling depth.
Boosted confidence and belief - Narrowly missing victory against a full-member giant sent a strong message: Nepal belongs at this level. The performance has lifted team morale and fan excitement, keeping Super 8 hopes alive with a respectable net run rate.
This near-miss showcased Nepal's fearless brand of cricket. Against a full-member side stacked with experience, they displayed composure, power-hitting, and belief that belied their ranking. England survived to register a narrow four-run victory, but the result felt more like a moral victory for Nepal.
