Nepal’s familiar story of nerve and near misses since 2024

The cricketing world was left both surprised and impressed after third-time participants Nepal pushed two-time champions England to the brink in the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, eventually falling short by just four runs.

But this was far from the first time Nepal have ended on the wrong side of a narrow chase. Since 2024, Nepal have lost six matches by a margin of less than five runs. On four of those occasions, they needed 10 runs or fewer in the final over but were unable to close out the game.

1. Nepal vs Netherlands

Tri-Nation Series, February 2024

A day after losing to Namibia by 20 runs, Nepal elected to field first against the Netherlands at the TU International Cricket Stadium. Debutant Michael Levitt struck a 36-ball 54, while Sybrand Engelbrecht finished strongly with a 38-ball 49 to take the Dutch total to 184.

Nepal needed 15 off the final over with Karan KC and Dipendra Singh Airee at the crease. Airee began with a boundary off Roelof van der Merwe, but both he and Karan were dismissed off successive deliveries, leaving Nepal two runs short.

2. Nepal vs South Africa

T20 World Cup, June 2024

This was the first time Nepal truly threatened a Full Member nation on the World Cup stage. On a slow, spin-friendly surface in Kingstown, Nepal restricted last edition’s runners-up South Africa to 115/7.

Chasing a modest target, Nepal required nine off the final over with Gulshan Jha on strike. After missing the first two deliveries, Gulshan struck Ottneil Baartman for a boundary through covers.

With four needed off three balls, Gulshan managed two with a push towards cover, followed by a dot ball, and was then run out off Heinrich Klaasen’s direct hit on the final delivery. Nepal finished one run short in what could have been a historic upset.

3. Nepal vs Kuwait

Hong Kong Quadrangular T20 Series, April 2025

Playing the final against Kuwait, Nepal were chasing 175 and were in deep trouble at 92/8 in the 13th over. Basir Ahamad (80) and Nandan Yadav (37) revived the chase with a remarkable 72-run stand for the ninth wicket.

Nepal required 11 off the last over with one wicket in hand. Basir began with a six over backward point that was called a waist-high no ball. Kuwait’s Anudeep Chenthamara responded with two pinpoint yorkers before Basir was caught at long-off, leaving Nepal three runs short.

4. Nepal vs Scotland

Men’s CWC League 2, June 2025

After completing two excellent chases earlier in the tour, including a last-ball win by one wicket, Nepal were set 324 by Scotland in Dundee. It could have been Nepal’s highest successful ODI chase.

At 183/6, Dipendra Singh Airee (56) and Sompal Kami (67) added a superb 105-run partnership to keep the chase alive. However, once Airee was dismissed, the lower order could not finish the job and Nepal fell short by two runs.

The match is still remembered for the exceptional running between the wickets by Airee and Kami, despite the narrow defeat. Nepal needed just seven off the final over with Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane at the crease but could not get over the line.

5. Nepal vs Pakistan Shaheens

Top End T20, August 2025

In their debut appearance in the Top End T20 Series, Nepal fell short by a single run against Pakistan Shaheens. Chasing eight off the final over with big hitters like Kushal Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee at the crease, Nepal seemed favourites.

However, the match ended in heartbreak when Airee was run out off the final ball, sealing another agonising one-run defeat.

6. Nepal vs England

T20 World Cup, February 2026

The latest chapter came against two-time T20 World Cup champions England. Nepal required 46 from the final three overs, and Lokesh Bam injected life into the chase with a brisk 39 off 20 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes against Jofra Archer.

Despite the late surge, Sam Curran executed his yorkers perfectly in the final over to leave Nepal four runs short. Even in defeat, the cricketing fraternity has continued to praise the fight and composure shown by the Nepal side against one of the tournament favourites.