NEP vs ENG T20 World Cup 2026: The fans of the Nepal cricket team made sure that on Sunday afternoon, Wankhede Stadium would forget for a while that it is near the Arabian Sea. From Nepalese fans thronging the stands to them chanting rhythmic echoes till Marine Drive, it looked more like Kathmandu than Mumbai as fans came to watch the match in huge numbers.
Just before the toss, a sea of red waves had reached, where fans were seen carrying drums and flags for a team that was still writing its story in the mega event. Nepal fans, who came from both India and Nepal, had turned the stadium into a carnival.
The fans celebrated wildly after each dot ball and went berserk when England was wicket. For a team that is not even in the top 15, the fans gave them something valuable- a genuine home-away atmosphere against one of the top teams.
FAN SUPPORT: HUGE BOOST FOR NEPAL CRICKET
The rise of Nepal in world cricket has been marked by a huge turnout of fans in all formats and venues. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, lots of Nepali fans had thronged the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas to support their team against the Netherlands, as they were seen waving flags and had produced an electric atmosphere.
Back home, the Nepal Premier League (NPL) has emerged as a phenomenon. Around 130,000 spectators attended 32 matches at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, with more than 60,000 fans travelling from outside the Kathmandu Valley — a clear reflection of the sport’s growing national footprint.
HOW HAS NEPAL PERFORMED IN THE T20 WORLD CUPS?
Nepal’s journey in the T20 World Cup has been one of steady progress and growing belief. The Rhinos first qualified for the global event in 2014, returned after a decade at the 2024 edition, and have now sealed their third consecutive appearance by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with an unbeaten run in the Asia & EAP Qualifier.
In their previous World Cup outings, Nepal gained valuable experience on the biggest stage, even though they did not advance beyond the group phase. Beyond World Cups, however, Nepal has delivered notable results in T20Is, including a historic 2–1 series victory over two-time champions West Indies in Sharjah in 2025 — a landmark triumph against a full ICC member.
At the T20 World Cup 2026, Nepal will compete in Group C, alongside England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Italy, as they continue to test themselves against established cricketing powers.