Nepal Fall Agonizingly Short in Thrilling T20 World Cup Clash Against England

Nepal came heartbreakingly close to one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history but fell short by just 4 runs against two-time champions England in a nail-biting Group C encounter. Chasing 185, Nepal finished on 180/6 in 20 overs, needing 10 runs from the final over but managing only 5 against a composed Sam Curran.

This narrow defeat echoed Nepal’s previous World Cup heartbreak—losing by 1 run to South Africa in 2024—highlighting their growing prowess on the global stage despite the disappointment.

Nepal’s Batting Brilliance in Chase

After England posted 184/7 batting first, Nepal’s reply was powered by a superb 82-run third-wicket partnership between captain Rohit Paudel (39 off 34, 2×4, 2×6) and vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee (44 off 29, 6×4, 1×6). The duo steadied the innings after early losses, taking Nepal to a strong position.

Opener Kushal Bhurtel provided an explosive start with 29 off 17 (4×4, 1×6), while Aasif Sheikh scored 7 and Aarif Sheikh 10. The momentum shifted dramatically in the death overs, with Lokesh Bam’s explosive unbeaten 39 off 20 balls (4×4, 2×6) keeping Nepal in the hunt. Despite the late fireworks, Nepal could only muster 5 runs in the final over, falling agonizingly short.

England’s bowlers, led by Liam Dawson (2 wickets) and contributions from Luke Wood, Jofra Archer, Will Jacks, and Sam Curran, held their nerve in the clutch.

England’s Innings: Recovery After Early Wobble

England, opting to bat after winning the toss, recovered from a shaky start to post a competitive 184/7. Sher Malla made a dream debut, dismissing Phil Salt with his very first ball. Jos Buttler contributed 26 off 17 (5×4) before falling to Nandan Yadav.

Jacob Bethell (55 off 35, 4×4, 4×6) and captain Harry Brook (53 off 32, 4×4, 3×6) forged a crucial 71-run fourth-wicket stand to push England past 100. Will Jacks remained unbeaten on 39 off 18, smashing 22 runs in the final over to boost the total.

Nepal’s bowlers impressed: Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav took 2 wickets each, while Sher Malla and Sandeep Lamichhane claimed 1 apiece.

Key Moments

• Dream Debut for Sher Malla: Wicket with his first ball set the tone for Nepal.
• Paudel-Airee Stand: 82 runs off 54 balls turned the chase into a real contest.
• Bam’s Late Assault: His unbeaten 39 off 20 kept hope alive until the final over.
• Curran’s Clutch Final Over: Defended 10 runs brilliantly to seal England’s win.

A crowd of 16,376 witnessed the drama at Wankhede Stadium. Nepal’s spirited performance earned widespread praise, proving they belong on the big stage. Despite the loss, this match showcased Nepal’s potential and resilience against top-tier opposition.

England secured 2 crucial points to kick off their campaign, while Nepal’s valiant effort will boost confidence for upcoming fixtures.