Nepal’s Cardiac Kids Nearly Shock England in T20 World Cup Thriller

In a thrilling showcase of fearless cricket, Nepal’s national team, affectionately nicknamed the “Cardiac Kids”, stunned the cricketing world by pushing defending champions England to the absolute limit in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group C game at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. What was expected to be a routine match for England instead turned into an edge-of-the-seat contest, defined by fearless batting, passionate crowd support and a stunning near-upset that will be remembered for years.

England won the contest by a narrow margin of 184/7 to Nepal’s 180/6, sealing victory by just four runs in a breathtaking finish. The target of 185 set by England was built on strong contributions from Jacob Bethell (55 off 35) and captain Harry Brook (53 off 32), with Will Jacks providing a late blitz of 39 not out, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Nepal’s chase began with high drama as opener Kushal Bhurtel made an early statement by aggressively attacking England’s pace attack, including Jofra Archer. Although Bhurtel was dismissed in the powerplay, the backbone of Nepal’s reply was formed by a commanding 82-run partnership between captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee. Paudel scored a composed 39, while Airee’s 44 off 29 balls showcased his fearless intent against world-class bowling.

As the game entered the death overs, Nepal appeared poised for an extraordinary victory. Lokesh Bam, batting aggressively, blasted 39 off 20 to bring Nepal within touching distance of an historic upset. With ten runs needed off the final over, the stage was set for an unforgettable finale.

But England’s seasoned campaigner Sam Curran delivered under pressure, bowling a composed final over that conceded just five runs, denying Nepal the last-ball six needed to complete one of the most sensational wins in World Cup history.

The match was more than just a narrow loss for Nepal; it was a statement of intent from a rising cricket nation. Cricketers, pundits and fans alike were left astonished by Nepal’s maturity, skill and tenacity against one of the sport’s elite sides. Former international greats praised Nepal’s fearless approach and urged the world to take notice of the growing strength in Associate cricket. Despite the heartbreak, the Cardiac Kids take immense pride from their performance, carrying belief and momentum forward into the remainder of the tournament. Their spirited display continues to captivate fans and demonstrate that the gap between traditional powerhouses and emerging nations is narrowing in modern T20 cricket.