For Nepal, this was déjà vu of the cruelest kind. Just like their heartbreaking one-run loss to South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup, they pushed a cricket superpower to the absolute brink—and once again, destiny denied them at the death.
🎯 The Final Over That Stopped Hearts
Picture this: Nepal needed 10 runs from 6 balls. Lokesh Bam, who had just smashed 14 runs off the penultimate over, was on strike. The entire Wankhede Stadium—packed with Nepal's blue-and-red clad supporters who massively outnumbered England fans—was on its feet.
England captain Harry Brook turned to Sam Curran for the final over. The left-armer, who had earlier been dismissed for a pedestrian 2 while batting, now had to defend 10 runs with Nepal's most dangerous batter facing.
What followed was a masterclass in death bowling.
Ball 1: Curran nailed a perfect yorker on leg stump. Bam could only flick it for a single. 9 needed off 5.
Ball 2: Curran went full and wide outside off. Karan KC couldn't connect. Dot ball. 9 needed off 4.
Ball 3: Another blockhole delivery. KC squeezed it out for just a single. 8 needed off 3.
Ball 4: Bam back on strike. He swung hard at a slower ball but could only find the fielder. Another single. 7 needed off 2.
Ball 5: Gulshan Jha came in as the new batter. Curran delivered a cross-seam yorker that cannoned into the stumps. Bowled! The crowd went silent. 7 needed off 1.
Ball 6: With the game essentially over, the final ball was squeezed for just a single.
Sam Curran had conceded just 5 runs when Nepal needed 10. Ice in his veins.
Final Score:
England: 184/7 (20 overs)
Nepal: 180/6 (20 overs)
Result: England won by 4 runs
💔 Lokesh Bam's Heroic Heartbreak
If there's one name that will be remembered from this match, it's Lokesh Bam.
Coming in with Nepal wobbling at 73/3 in the 9th over, Bam played an innings that had Wankhede Stadium believing the impossible was possible. His unbeaten 39 off 25 balls included some of the cleanest strikes you'll ever see.
In the 19th over bowled by Luke Wood, Bam absolutely tore into England. He swept a full delivery over the keeper's head for six. He then forced Wood to bowl two wides. Another sweep flew for four over short fine leg. 14 runs came off that over, and suddenly Nepal needed just 10 from the final 6 balls.
When Bam fell to his haunches after the final ball, unable to complete what would have been the greatest T20 World Cup chase by an Associate nation, the entire stadium felt his pain.
🏴 England's Nervous Start Under Scrutiny
This match will also be remembered for all the wrong reasons by England.
After Harry Brook (53 off 32) and Jacob Bethell (55 off 35) both struck elegant half-centuries, and Will Jacks smashed an unbeaten 39 off just 18 balls (including three sixes in the final over off Karan KC), England posted what looked like a commanding 184/7.
For context, this is the same Wankhede pitch where India collapsed to 77/6 just 24 hours earlier against the USA. England's 184 should have been more than enough.
But Nepal had other plans.
🇳🇵 Nepal's Fearless Chase
The chase started explosively. Kushal Bhurtel (29 off 17) took apart Jofra Archer and Luke Wood in the second and third overs, smashing 14 and 15 runs respectively. Nepal raced to 31 without loss in just 3 overs.
England finally struck back through Liam Dawson, who had Aasif Sheikh (7) caught on the sweep. Will Jacks then caught and bowled Bhurtel to peg Nepal back.
But captain Rohit Paudel and the electric Dipendra Singh Airee refused to let the chase die. Airee smashed 44 off 29 balls, taking down even the great Adil Rashid, who went for plenty and didn't complete his full quota of overs—a rarity for one of England's most reliable bowlers.
When Paudel was caught brilliantly by Phil Salt in the deep, Nepal still needed 77 from 42 balls. That's when Lokesh Bam walked in and almost changed cricket history.
🎤 What The Captains Said
Harry Brook (post-match):
"It wasn't easy at all, thankfully got over the line. They played extremely well and not many teams take Adil Rashid like they did. I thought we were in a very good position to defend that. I wish them all the best for the rest of the comp."
Rohit Paudel (Nepal captain):
"I think full credit to Nepal. They were absolutely brilliant. I think all of Nepal will be proud of us."
Will Jacks (Player of the Match):
"Full credit to Nepal, they were absolutely brilliant. The pitch was tricky but they played the spin really well and took us close there. If the surfaces continue to behave like that, our adaptability will be crucial."
📊 The Stat That Shows How Close It Was
Nepal required 10 runs from 6 balls with their in-form batter on strike and 4 wickets in hand. According to statistical models, they had a 62% chance of winning at that point.
Sam Curran reduced that to zero.
His final over went: 1, 0, 1, 1, W, 1 = just 5 runs and a wicket when Nepal needed 10.
It's the kind of nerveless death bowling that wins World Cups.
🌍 Nepal's Passionate Army of Fans
One of the most beautiful subplots of this match was the sheer number of Nepal supporters who packed the Wankhede Stadium. They easily outnumbered England fans, creating a sea of blue-and-red jerseys and deafening roars for every dot ball, every boundary, and every wicket.
The passion for cricket in the Himalayan nation was on full display, and their players didn't disappoint. Nepal held their catches, their spinners Sandeep Lamichhane and Nandan Yadav (2/25) each picked up crucial wickets, and their fielders threw themselves around with incredible commitment.
This is what makes the T20 World Cup special—when so-called "minnows" compete toe-to-toe with established giants.
😢 The South Africa Flashback
For Nepal fans, this loss will sting in a painfully familiar way.
In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Nepal came within a heartbeat of defeating South Africa, losing by just one run. They fought until the final ball then too, and once again the finish line stayed frustratingly out of reach.
Cruel margins. But enormous heart from Nepal.
⚠️ Warning Signs for England
While England will celebrate the win, this performance raises serious questions.
Captain Under Pressure: Harry Brook is leading England at a major tournament for the first time, and he's doing so while dealing with off-field controversies from a nightclub incident in Wellington. He later apologized, saying "I accept responsibility for my actions and will continue to reflect on the matter."
Bowling Concerns: Adil Rashid getting taken down by Nepal's batters is worrying. If associate nations can attack him, what will India, Australia, or Pakistan do?
Death Bowling Reliance: England got away with this one thanks to Sam Curran's brilliance. But what if he has an off day? Who's the backup plan?
Pitch Adaptability: The two-paced Wankhede surface troubled both India and England. Can England handle tougher conditions as the tournament progresses?
🗓️ What's Next?
England face West Indies on February 11 in Kolkata—a match they'll be heavily favored to win, but after today's scare, nothing can be taken for granted.
Nepal take on Scotland on February 10 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. After coming so close twice now (2024 vs SA, 2026 vs England), Nepal will be desperate to finally get that breakthrough win against a top team.
One thing's for sure: Nepal proved today that they belong on this stage. They might not have won, but they won millions of hearts worldwide.
Stay tuned to CricTrend Global for live updates, breaking news, and expert analysis throughout the T20 World Cup 2026!
For Sam Curran's final over highlights, click here.
For complete match report, click here.
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