The Cardiac Kids Do It Again

“Nepal won hearts but had a heartbreak. Outstanding game of cricket. #icct20worldcup2026.”

Commentator Harsha Bhogle’s tweet captured the essence of Nepal’s clash against England at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, February 8. It was a night of courage, chaos and cruel margins. One that reaffirmed Nepal’s reputation as one of the game’s most compelling underdogs.

The Rhinos have long been known for drama. For pushing matches to the edge. For refusing to surrender. The nickname “cardiac kids” has followed them across continents. On Sunday, they lived up to it once again.

Nepal lost to the format’s two-time world champions England by just four runs in a gripping ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 encounter. It was heartbreak. But it was also a statement.

Chasing 185, Nepal needed 10 runs from the final over. Six from the final ball. English Pacer Sam Curran held his nerve. He conceded only five. And Nepal’s dream slipped away.

A moment earlier, Lokesh Bam had denied Karan KC a single on the penultimate delivery when six were still required. Fine margins. Ruthless consequences.

Yet the performance drew admiration from across the cricketing world.

Legendary South African fast bowler Dale Steyn wrote:
“Nepal
I offer my services to you if you ever need em!
Up, up and UP!”

India great Yuvraj Singh added: “Huge respect to Nepal Took on one of the best teams in the world, stayed in the fight till the very last ball and showed what belief and heart can do! This is how teams grow and this is how champions rise 👏🏻 The cricketing world is watching!”

The stands told their own story. Nearly 17,000 spectators filled Wankhede, according to sports journalist Subhayan Chakraborty.

“16,736 fans in attendance for the England vs Nepal clash at the iconic Wankhede Stadium - Nepal fans have lived up to it. Hopefully the BCCI will soon organize a bilateral series against Nepal. They'll boom with some support,” he tweeted.

Wankhede was awash in red and blue. Nepali jerseys. Dhaka topis. Flags. Chants. Many supporters had travelled from third countries just to witness the moment.

Nepal’s chase began with promise. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh added 37 for the first wicket. Sheikh fell in the fourth over, caught by Luke Wood off Liam Dawson, for 7 off 9. Bhurtel followed soon after, scoring 29 off 17, with four fours and a six.

Momentum wavered. Then it steadied.

Captain Rohit Paudel and vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee rebuilt with assurance. Their 82-run stand for the third wicket pulled Nepal firmly back into the contest.

With 62 needed from the final six overs, belief surged. Then came the turning point.

Airee fell in the 16th over for a fluent 44 off 29, including six fours and a six. Nepal were 124/3. Paudel departed in the very next over, making 39 off 34, with two fours and two sixes. Nepal slipped to 126/4.

The required rate climbed sharply. Boundaries dried up. At one stage, 56 were needed from four overs. England sensed control.

Aarif Sheikh briefly lifted hopes. He smashed Jofra Archer for a six before falling for 10 off 8 in the 18th over.

Then came Lokesh Bam.

Bam struck Archer for back-to-back sixes in the fourth and fifth balls of the 18th over. Nepal collected 22 from the over. The stadium erupted. Twenty-four were needed from two overs.

Despite Gulshan Jha’s dismissal, Bam continued the assault. He struck Luke Wood for two boundaries in the 19th over as Nepal added 14 more.

Ten from the last. Six from the last ball.

Curran closed it out. Bam could not find the boundary. Nepal finished on 180/6.

Liam Dawson led England’s bowling with figures of 2 for 21. Wood, Archer, Will Jacks and Curran took one wicket each.

Earlier, England had set the platform by batting first after winning the toss.

They were jolted immediately. Phil Salt was caught for 1 off Sher Malla on the first ball of the second over. England were 5/1.

Jacob Bethell, promoted to No 3, steadied the innings. He struck 55 off 35 balls, with four sixes and four fours.

Jos Buttler looked fluent before edging out for 26 off 17, caught by Aasif Sheikh off Nandan Yadav. Tom Banton followed soon after, lbw to Sandeep Lamichhane for 2. England slipped to 57/3.

Captain Harry Brook then took control. His 53 off 32 balls, including three sixes and four fours, restored momentum.

Bethell fell in the 14th over with England on 128/4. Sam Curran failed to capitalise and was bowled by Airee for 2. Brook departed in the 19th over, caught by Malla off Yadav. Jofra Archer was run out for 1.

Will Jacks provided the final flourish. His explosive 39 off 18, featuring four sixes, lifted England to 184/7. He was named player of the match for his all-round impact.

Airee and Yadav took two wickets each. Malla and Lamichhane claimed one apiece. Karan KC and Malla were the most expensive, conceding 11.66 an over. Nepal also gave away five extras, including four wides.

This is Nepal’s third appearance at the Men’s T20 World Cup.

In the previous edition, they lost by a single run to South Africa, the eventual runners-up. They also fell 21 runs short against Bangladesh despite bowling them out for 106. Progress beyond the group stage has remained elusive.

But belief is growing.

Two seasons of the Nepal Premier League have strengthened domestic depth. A historic series win over the West Indies in the UAE in September 2025 has further lifted confidence.

Nepal are placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Scotland and Italy. Twenty teams are competing. Only eight will reach the Super Eight.

Nepal play all four group matches at the same venue. Italy await on February 12. West Indies follow on February 15. Scotland on February 17.

Nepal were winless in the last World Cup. On debut in 2014, they beat Afghanistan and Hong Kong under Paras Khadka.

This time, the ambition is unmistakable. Captain Paudel has said it plainly. Nepal are targeting the Super Eight.

For a team accustomed to defying odds, it feels less like hope. More like a challenge.