England narrowly avoid ignominious T20 World Cup defeat to Nepal

Tim Wigmore Sun, 8 February 2026 at 1:23 pm UTC·30 min read England have endured enough chastening days against Associate nations in World Cups to be apprehensive about what a first-ever meeting against Nepal would bring. As chants of “We Want Nepal” broke out at a raucous Mumbai, England came perilously close to another ignominious World Cup defeat. Sam Curran had a meagre 10 runs to defend from the final over, leaving Nepal as heavy favourites; Lokesh Bam, fresh from thrashing Jofra Archer for consecutive sixes, was on strike. But, beginning with a cutter that narrowly evaded the off stump, Curran produced a supremely skilled last over, using his array of cutters and a precise, full length...