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New Delhi: Nepal nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history against the two-time champions England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Three Lions survived a major scare, registering a four-run victory in a Group C thriller on Sunday, February 8.

Nepal, playing their first T20 World Cup, needed just 10 runs to win in the last over, but all-rounder Sam Curran held his nerve and bowled pinpoint Yorkers to help England register a thrilling win as the Asian underdogs went down by a bare margin. Captain Rohit Paudal was left immensely proud of his team and said that the boys gave everything they had on the ground.

“Disappointment is there but at the same time very proud of the team. The way the boys showed their effort against England. That takes a lot of appreciation. I think when we stepped out today in the ground, the only message to the group was, whatever we have, we’ll give a 110% in the ground. And I think boys have given all what they had.” Rohit Paudel said in the post-match presentation.

Nepal qualified for the global tournament after clinching the first spot in the T20 World Cup 2026 Asia/East Asia-Pacific Qualifier. Last year, Nepal also registered a 2-1 T20I series victory against the West Indies in Sharjah.

Chasing the 185-run target against England, Kushal Bhurtel set the tone by smashing three boundaries in four balls against Jofra Archer, before Dependra Singh Airee and Rohit Paudel stitched an 82-run partnership, leaving 62 runs required off the last six overs.

Lokesh Bam then led a late charge and smashed Jofra Archer for 22 runs in his final over to give a lot of hope to Nepalese fans, but Sam Curran bowled a brilliant last over to help England win. Lokesh scored an unbeaten 39 runs off 20 balls with the help of four boundaries and two maximums.

He also added that they didn’t come to the T20 World Cup just to participate and had the belief that they could defeat any big team.

“We had that belief when we came in this World Cup. We didn’t come here to just participate. We wanted to compete. And we had that belief in the group that we can beat any of the sides if we play our best brand of cricket. And I thought today we played our best brand of cricket. I think today, overall, if you see the result-wise, it didn’t go our way,” he added.

Nepal will next face Italy on February 12 at the Wankhede Stadium, before taking on the West Indies (Feb 12) and Scotland (Feb 17) at the same venue.