T20 World Cup 2026: Nepal pacer Nandan Yadav left speechless by Dale Steyn’s heartwarming message after England thriller

Nepal‘s fairytale run on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Sunday may have ended in heartbreak, but the spirit and courage were shown Rohit Paudel‘s side at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai earned them admiration from across the cricketing world. Nepal pushed two-time champions England to the brink and fell agonizingly short by just four runs in what turned out to be one of the most gripping matches of the tournament.

England survives the late scare thanks to Sam Curran

Asked to bat first, England captain Harry Brook opted to set a target and his batters delivered a competitive 184/7. Jacob Bethel and Brook struck fluent half-centuries Will Jacks added momentum with a quick 39 from 18 balls, giving the Three Lions a total that looked strong on paper.

However, Nepal did not allow itself to be overwhelmed. Dipendra Singh Airee anchored the chase with a fighting 44 and shared a vital 82-run partnership with Paudel that kept the underdogs firmly in the hunt. The equation then tilted dramatically in Nepal’s favor Lokesh Bam launched a stunning late attack, reducing the requirement to just 10 runs in the final.

With the crowds on their feet and history within reach, Sam Curran held his nerve. The experienced all-rounder executed a series of inch-perfect yorkers, denying Nepal the boundary they so desperately needed and sealing a narrow escape for England.

Packed stands applaud Nepal’s courageous efforts

Despite the defeat, Nepali players made sure to acknowledge the sea of ​​supporters in Wankhede. According to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), 17,008 fans attended the match, with the majority cheering for Nepal after traveling all the way from Kathmandu. Their continued support made the stadium a home away from home.

Dale Steyn’s message lights up Nepali cricket

Moments after the match, former South African speedster Dal Steyn took to social media to praise Nepal’s fearless cricket. The fast bowling legend went one step further and openly offered his services to the team, a gesture that quickly attracted worldwide attention.

“Nepal. I offer you my services if you ever need them! Up, up and UP,” Steyn posted a message that resonated deeply in the Nepalese camp.

Nepal

I offer you my services if you ever need them!
Up, up and UP!

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 8, 2026

Also WATCH: Nepali players salute Wankhede crowd with lap of honor after heartbreaking 2026 T20 World Cup loss to England

Nandan Yadav was left speechless by Steyn’s praise

At the post-match press conference, Nepal pacer said Nandan Yadav was asked about Steyn’s remarkable offer. Visibly emotional, Nandan admitted how important it was to receive such recognition from one of the game’s greatest fast bowlers. He said it was a “big thing” for Nepali cricket, adding that someone who dominated world cricket for almost a decade and recognized their potential felt surreal. Nandan also stressed that such decisions rested with the team management, but Steyn’s respect was something the players would cherish.

“So that’s important to us. Someone, a legend, like he ruled cricket for ten years, and he tweets something like this. But it’s like the can management team, so we can’t approach him. Maybe we can, so I don’t know how to answer this one,” Nandan told reporters.

Also READ: Fans react as England survive massive Nepal scare with dramatic 2026 World Cup win in final T20