Why Nepal are likely to clinch the second Super Eight spot from Group C at T20 World Cup
Nepal (Source: Cricket Nepal on X)
Published - 09 Feb 2026, 05:37 PM• Read time - 3 mins
Nepal may have begun their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a four‑run defeat to England, but that narrow margin has dramatically shifted the potential outcome of their tournament. Instead of being dismissed as outsiders, they now appear the most credible contenders to join England as the two teams progressing from Group C to the Super Eight.
The reasons for that belief stretch across two World Cups, multiple near‑upsets, and a landmark series win that has changed how the cricket world views them.
Placed in Group C alongside England, Italy, Scotland, and West Indies, Nepal were expected to scrap for third place at best. But their opening performance, nearly chasing down 185 at Wankhede against a solid white-ball attack, featuring Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, and Sam Curran, has injected a surge of confidence into their campaign.
When a team pushes England that close, it signals their readiness and a growing ability to compete at the highest level. And crucially, this wasn’t the first time Nepal had run a Full Member side to the brink.
A history of pushing ICC's full members to the edge
To understand why Nepal are favourites to win their remaining fixtures, Italy (February 12), West Indies (February 15), and Scotland (February 17), we have to revisit their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.
At Arnos Vale in St Vincent, they came agonisingly close to beating South Africa. Chasing a modest target of 115, they needed just eight runs off the final over but couldn’t get past Ottneil Baartman, falling short by a single run. It was heartbreak, but it was also an assertive statement: Nepal were no longer content with participation, they were competing.
Days later, they rattled Bangladesh by bowling them out for 106 in 19.3 overs. Their chase faltered, but a message was sent, loud and clear. Nepal’s bowling attack had the discipline and bite to suffocate established sides, and their intensity in big moments was unmistakable.
The performance that ties the story together
Fast‑forward to their 2026 opener, and Nepal’s near‑upset of England felt like the culmination of everything they’ve been building.
Chasing 185, they showed:
- composure under pressure, and a batting unit capable of sustaining a high‑tempo chase
They pushed England to the brink, and it came from experience, scars, and a growing belief that they belong on this stage.
The biggest reason to believe
If the performances against England, South Africa, and Bangladesh provide the emotional fuel, Nepal’s most compelling qualification argument is rooted in recent results.
In September, they defeated West Indies 2–1 in a three‑match T20I series in the UAE, their first‑ever series win against an ICC Full Member. And crucially, the core of that victorious squad has been retained for this World Cup.
That series wasn’t a fluke. It was a breakthrough.
It proved:
- Nepal can beat West Indies in T20 cricket
- They can handle high‑pressure moments
- They can close out matches against stronger, more experienced sides
When you’ve beaten a team recently, you don’t walk into a World Cup fixture hoping. You walk in believing.
A group that suddenly looks wide open
England are expected to top Group C. That leaves one spot, and Nepal have positioned themselves better than anyone else.
Their remaining fixtures are favourable. Their NRR is intact (-0.200). Their confidence is high. And their recent results against Full Members give them a competitive edge that Scotland and Italy simply don’t possess. It’s a realistic qualification push built on evidence, not emotion.
Nepal have shown they can push giants. They’ve shown they can beat top sides. And now, with momentum and belief, they look likely to secure a historic Super Eight berth.
If they play to their potential, Nepal won’t just be the feel‑good story of the tournament. They’ll be one of its most deserving qualifiers.
