‘The world is watching’: Yuvraj Singh blown away by Nepal’s giant-killing bid; Dale Steyn makes surprise offer

Even in defeat, Nepal’s fearless display earned widespread praise from former cricketers.

Updated on: Feb 8, 2026, 20:44:05 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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For the second day in a row, an associate nation pushed a former world champion to the brink. But unlike the earlier near-misses, Nepal genuinely jolted England and came within touching distance of one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history.

Nepal's players greet fans in the stands after the team lost the T20 World Cup 2026 group game against England at the Wankhede Stadium (PTI)

Chasing 185 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where Nepal supporters turned out in numbers and rallied behind the side throughout, the ICC associate reduced the equation to just 10 required off the final six balls. Sam Curran, however, held his nerve at the death to deny England a shocking start to their campaign. Even in defeat, Nepal’s fearless display earned widespread praise from former cricketers.

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A mismatch appeared on the cards after half-centuries from captain Harry Brook (53) and Jacob Bethell (55) powered England to 184 for 7. But Rohit Paudel’s side refused to roll over. The skipper struck a brisk 39, while Kushal Bhurtel (29) and Dipendra Singh Airee (44) mounted a spirited chase that sent alarm bells ringing in the English camp.

Nepal eventually fell agonisingly short, with Curran conceding just four runs in the final over as they finished on 180 for 6.

The performance drew plaudits from across the cricketing world. Former India cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin and Irfan Pathan lauded Nepal’s rise, while South Africa great Dale Steyn went a step further, publicly offering to mentor the team.

“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 champions rise. The cricketing world is watching!” Yuvraj tweeted.

Ashwin added: “Incredible from Nepal. They are surely among the best of the emerging cricketing nations. Huge potential and upside.”

“So the finishing touches were missing, but Nepal are clearly on the right path. Great to see them put England under the pump,” Pathan wrote.

Steyn’s post, however, stole the spotlight. “Nepal, I offer my services to you if you ever need ’em! Up, up and UP!” he tweeted.

Nepal will next face another former champion, the West Indies, on February 15 at the same venue.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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