MUMBAI – Nepal’s spirited performance against two-time champions England in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener on Sunday earned widespread praise, with cricketing legend Dale Steyn even offering his guidance to the emerging side.
Nepal came agonizingly close to causing a major upset, falling short by just four runs while chasing England’s total of 184. The near-miss highlighted the team’s rapid improvement and drew admiration from both opponents and cricket fans worldwide.
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“That’s a big thing for us. A legend who ruled cricket for 10 years is tweeting about us,” Nepal pacer Nandan Yadav said after the match. Yadav, who took two wickets for 25 in his three overs, added that while Steyn’s offer was exciting, any approach would be made through the management team.
In a thrilling T20 World Cup match, Nepal nearly toppled England, earning global respect. Their passionate play and the fans’ unwavering support highlighted why cricket is beloved, reminding us that victory isn’t always about the scoreboard. https://t.co/Add3vmsWaW pic.twitter.com/XSZ7VW6Tp8
— Gulf News (@gulf_news) February 9, 2026
Captain Rohit Paudel echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Nepal is in the tournament to compete, not merely to participate. “Being that close shows we are improving, so overall it’s a mix of pride and regret,” Paudel said.
England batter Will Jacks, who was named player of the match after scoring an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls, lauded Nepal’s tactical prowess. “Full credit to Nepal. They were absolutely brilliant… they’ve obviously pushed us right to the edge there,” Jacks said.
Nepal’s competitive display follows a weekend where other lower-ranked teams, including the U.S. and the Netherlands, also challenged traditional cricketing powerhouses like India and Pakistan, signaling an increasingly competitive T20 World Cup.
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Nepal will next face Italy on Thursday, aiming to build on their encouraging performance and make a stronger push in the group stage. Steyn’s supportive tweet and the plaudits from England serve as a morale boost for a team eager to make its mark on the global stage.