Nepal fall short in yet another World Cup classic

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Feb 08, 2026

Twenty months after a narrow one-run defeat against last edition’s runners-up South Africa, Nepal have suffered another heartbreaker in the T20 World Cup, this time losing to two-time champions England by four runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Electing to bat first, Nepal looked in control for much of their innings, keeping England in check until the 16th over. At that stage, the visitors were restricted to 139/5. However, the last three overs proved costly, yielding 45 runs, including a stunning 21 off Karan KC’s final over courtesy of Will Jacks, pushing England’s total to 184.

Jacks finished unbeaten on 39 off 18 balls, hitting four sixes and a boundary. He was well supported by Jacob Bethell (55) and England captain Harry Brook (53), both scoring fifties to anchor the innings.

For Nepal, Dipendra Singh Airee (2/23) and Nandan Yadav (2/25) picked up two wickets apiece in their three-over spells. Sandeep Lamichhane and debutant Sher Malla contributed a wicket each, with Sher claiming the scalp of Phil Salt on his very first delivery in international cricket.

Nepal’s innings began with intent. The opening pair of Kushal Bhurtel and Asif Sheikh added 37 runs for the first wicket, setting a new record for Nepal in T20 World Cups by surpassing the previous mark of 31 between Subash Khakurel and Sagar Pun.

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee (44) and vice-captain Rohit Paudel (39) then stitched together 82 runs for the third wicket, keeping Nepal in the hunt. Lokesh Bam played a lively cameo, scoring 39 off 20 balls, including two sixes and four fours.

Despite these efforts, Nepal fell agonizingly short as Sam Curran defended 10 runs in the final over, handing England a four-run victory.

On the bowling front, Liam Dawson took two wickets for England, returning 2/21, while Luke Wood, Jofra Archer, Will Jacks, and Sam Curran picked up one wicket apiece.

Nepal will next face Italy on Thursday, hoping to bounce back a narrow defeat in their T20 World Cup opener.