MUMBAI, Feb 9: They say victory matters, and defeat only stings. But sometimes, a team loses yet wins hearts—and Nepal did exactly that against England in the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday.
In Mumbai, India, Nepal came agonizingly close, losing by just four runs in their opening match. Fearless batting, last-ball drama, and an unrelenting fight brought the team to the brink of a historic win, only to fall short against the cricketing giant. At Wankhede Stadium, England set Nepal a challenging 185-run target. Nepal batted the full 20 overs but managed 180 for six.
For Nepal, it was deja vu. In the last World Cup, they had lost to South Africa by a single run after a thrilling last-ball fight. This time, the narrow defeat echoed the same courage. Yet, over 17,000 fans in the stadium celebrated every shot, every partnership, and every fearless moment.
Even international cricket stars took notice. Legendary Dale Steyn offered his support, posting on social media: “Nepal, if needed, I would love to help.” He also hinted at the rapid rise of Nepali cricket. Nepali bowler Nandan Yadav smiled when journalists asked about Steyn’s offer, saying the decision was in the hands of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
Heart to Heart with Malvika
Foreign journalists repeatedly praised Nepal’s batters with words like “Wow,” “Outstanding,” and “Brilliant.” Against cricketing powerhouses, performances like this count as much as wins—they put players on the global stage and open doors to major franchise leagues.
Even England’s Will Jacks admitted the pressure. “When we needed 10 runs for victory, my heart was racing. Nepal was excellent in every area. They deserve full credit. Sam Curran bowled brilliantly, and we managed an important win. Today’s match proves no game will be easy,” he said.
Nepal’s Super Eight hopes are very much alive. They will face two-time World Cup champions West Indies next, and players like Nandan Yadav are confident the team can continue this level of performance. Nepal’s next match is against Italy on February 12—another chance to prove they belong on the big stage.
A batting effort to remember
Nepal’s batting was fearless. Lokesh Bam’s late surge brought them tantalizingly close. Needing 10 off the final over, he and the team came just short, managing five runs against Curran’s skilful bowling. Bam remained unbeaten on 39 from 20 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes.
Rohit Kumar Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee held the innings together, adding 82 runs for the third wicket. Airee scored 44 off 29 balls, with six fours and a six—the top individual score for Nepal.
The turning point came in the 15th over, when England’s Curran used experience and precision to break crucial partnerships. Earlier, England had posted 185 for seven, led by Jacob’s 55 and captain Harry Brook’s 53. In Nepal’s bowling, Nandan and Dipendra claimed two wickets each, while Sompal and Sandeep took one apiece.
Though the scoreboard said defeat, Nepal’s performance won the admiration of the cricketing world. Against giants like England, this fearless display felt, in every sense, like a victory.
