By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Feb 08, 2026 17:14 PM • 20 views
MUMBAI – In a script that felt cruelly familiar to the Nepali faithful, the Rhinos proved they belong on the world’s biggest stage, only to stumble within sight of the finish line. In a high-octane T20 World Cup encounter at the Wankhede Stadium, Nepal pushed defending champions England to the absolute limit, ultimately falling 4 runs short in a nail-biting chase.
The echoes of a previous one-run heartbreak against South Africa loomed large as Nepal needed 10 runs from the final over. Despite a valiant effort, they could only muster five, finishing on 180/6 in response to England’s 184.
The Chase: A Captain’s Stand and Explosive Late Fire
Chasing 185, Nepal's intent was clear from the jump. Kushal Bhurtel provided a lightning start, smashing 29 off just 17 balls. However, the backbone of the innings was an 82-run partnership between skipper Rohit Paudel (39) and vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee (44).
The pair toyed with the English attack, bringing the target within reach before Sam Curran claimed the crucial scalp of Airee in the 15th over. When Paudel fell an over later, the momentum stuttered. Lokesh Bam provided a late-inning masterclass, remaining unbeaten with a blistering 39 off 20 balls, but the lack of a finishing boundary in the final six balls left Nepal agonisingly close once again.
The First Innings: A Dream Debut and English Resilience
Earlier, England, having elected to bat, posted a formidable 184/7. The story of the first innings, however, belonged to Nepal’s Sher Malla. In what can only be described as a "dream debut," Malla claimed the wicket of the dangerous Phil Salt with his very first ball in international cricket.
England stabilised through a 71-run stand between Jacob Bethell (55) and captain Harry Brook (53). While the Nepalese spinners, including Sandeep Lamichhane, kept the middle overs tight, a late surge by Will Jacks (39* off 18 balls) saw England plunder 22 runs in the final over—a sequence that proved to be the statistical difference between victory and defeat.
