Mumbai, Jan 25 (ICC T20 World Cup 2026) - Nepal came agonisingly close to scripting history but fell just four runs short against England in a pulsating Group C clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a challenging target of 185, Nepal fought valiantly to reach 180 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs, but England held their nerve in the final over to seal a narrow victory. Nepal required 10 runs off the last six balls but could manage only five, failing to find the boundary when it mattered most.
Nepal’s chase began with intent as openers Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel put together a 37-run stand in just 3.5 overs — the highest opening partnership for Nepal in T20 World Cup history. Bhurtel scored a brisk 29 off 17 balls, including four fours and a six, before being dismissed by Will Jacks, while Sheikh departed for seven.
The backbone of Nepal’s innings was the third-wicket partnership between captain Rohit Kumar Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee, who added a crucial 82 runs and revived Nepal’s hopes. Airee struck 44 off 29 balls with six boundaries and a six, becoming the first Nepali batter to score 2,000 runs in T20 Internationals. Paudel contributed a composed 39 off 34 deliveries before both fell in successive overs.
Late fireworks from Lokesh Bam kept Nepal in the hunt. Bam smashed 39 off 20 balls, including four fours and two sixes, and raised the excitement with back-to-back sixes off Jofra Archer in the 18th over. Nepal needed 24 runs from the final two overs and managed to collect 14 from the 19th, setting up a tense finish.
However, England’s Sam Curran executed his plans well in the final over, conceding just five runs and denying Nepal a famous win. England spinner Liam Dawson picked up two wickets, playing a key role in the middle overs.
Earlier, England posted 184 for 7 after opting to bat first, riding on half-centuries from Jacob Bethell and captain Harry Brook. Bethell scored an aggressive 50 off 35 balls, while Brook anchored the innings with 53 off 32 balls. Will Jacks provided the late surge with an unbeaten 39 off 18 deliveries, including three sixes in the final over.
Nepal’s bowling effort was commendable. Debutant Sher Malla enjoyed a dream start by dismissing Phil Salt for one on the first ball of his World Cup career. Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav claimed two wickets each, while Airee also became Nepal’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history with eight scalps.
Despite the defeat, Nepal earned widespread praise for pushing a full-member nation to the brink and showcasing their growing stature on the global stage.
Nepal will look to bounce back in their second group match against Italy on January 29, followed by fixtures against West Indies on February 3 and Scotland on February 5 — all to be played in Mumbai.
