In a heartbreaking yet historic night at the Wankhede Stadium, England narrowly escaped a monumental upset by defeating Nepal by just four runs in T20 World Cup 2026. Chasing 185, Nepal pushed the defending champions to the absolute limit, falling agonisingly short in a last-ball thriller on February 8, 2026. While England walked away with the points, the spirit shown by the Associate nation left the global cricketing community in awe. The match will be remembered not for the result, but for the incredible resilience of a rising Nepal side.

T20 World Cup 2026: Nepal players under Rohit Paudel salute Wankhede crowd with emotional lap of honour

Despite the crushing weight of a four-run defeat, the Nepal players displayed extraordinary grace and composure in a moment that transcended the game itself. Following the final delivery, led by captain Rohit Paudel, the entire squad took a lap of honour around the Wankhede Stadium to express their gratitude to the fans. The stadium saw an impressive attendance exceeding 17,000, a remarkable figure for a non-India fixture, with a massive, vocal section of Nepal supporters turning the stands into a sea of red and blue.

While the players were understandably hurting deep within after coming so close to a historic victory, they remained dignified, waving to the supporters who had travelled from across the globe to witness their journey. The lap was a tribute to their loyal fans and a thank-you to the Mumbai crowd that had cheered their every boundary, solidifying Nepal’s reputation as the ‘people’s team’ of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Here’s the video:

A fight for the ages! 👏

Team Nepal will take plenty of inspiration from this performance, as will their fans who gave it their all ❤️

Watch them next in #T20WorldCup 👉 #NEPvITA | THU, 12 FEB, 3 PM pic.twitter.com/a3GRcIKLno

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 8, 2026

Also READ: Fans react as England survive massive Nepal scare in dramatic last-over T20 World Cup 2026 win

England survives last-over scare in Wankhede T20 World Cup 2026 thriller against Nepal

After being put in to bat, England posted 184/7, largely thanks to debutant Jacob Bethell’s 55 and Harry Brook’s 53, though Nepal’s bowlers kept the pressure high with Dipendra Singh Airee taking 2/23. In response, Nepal’s top order attacked fearlessly, with Rohit Paudel (39) and Dipendra Airee (44) putting together an 82-run partnership that brought them to the brink of victory.

The required rate remained manageable until Sam Curran and Liam Dawson struck in quick succession to remove the set batters. However, Lokesh Bam reignited the chase with a sensational 39* off 20 balls, bringing the equation down to 10 runs needed off the final over. With the Wankhede crowd erupting, Curran held his nerve, executing perfect yorkers to concede only five runs. Nepal finished on 180/6, losing by a mere four runs in a contest that exposed England’s death-bowling vulnerabilities. The victory keeps England’s campaign alive, but Nepal earned a standing ovation for pushing the world champions to the final ball.

Also READ: Jacob Bethell equals Kevin Pietersen with rare England feat in T20 World Cup 2026 match vs Nepal

NFL Super Bowl LX (Image Source: Instagram)

The 60th championship match of the NFL will be Super Bowl LX, and it is set to be held on a Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California, USA, featuring the New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks in a highly anticipated rematch of their 2015 Super Bowl encounter. The game will also reunite the best teams in the AFC and NFC at the largest sports event of the year.

Start timings of each region

United States

6:30 p.m. – Eastern Time ET5:30 p.m. – Central Time CT4:30 p.m. – Mountain Time MT3:30 p.m. – Pacific Time PT

United Kingdom

Sunday, February 8, at 11:30 p.m GMT

India

5:00 a.m. IST on Monday, February 9.

Brazil

Sunday, February 8, 8:30 pm BRT

Mexico

Sunday, February 8, 5.30 p.m CST

How to watch Super Bowl LX: All you need to know

In the United States, the game will be broadcast live on NBC, with Spanish-language coverage provided by Telemundo and Universo. The game can be streamed on NBC’s official streaming partner, Peacock. It is also coming to NFL Plus on mobile and to live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream.Super Bowl LX will be aired on free TV and on Sky Sports NFL in the United Kingdom on Channel 5. The game is also available on the NFL Game Pass of DAZN, which allows fans to stream it.In India, the game is available to viewers via JioHotstar or NFL Game Pass on DAZN, depending on regional broadcast rights.In Brazil, the game will be streamed on NFL Game Pass and televised on Globo and other domestic sports channels.In Mexico, the local sports channels and NFL Game Pass or affiliates allow fans to view the game.The hosting of Super Bowl LX will be in Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and it will become the second stadium to have hosted the Super Bowl, following its hosting of Super Bowl 50. Coverage of the game will begin several hours before it starts. The opening ceremony will include Green Day, and Charlie Puth will sing the National Anthem. Bad Bunny will be the halftime show, which will likely be held between 8:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.Super Bowl LX is sure to bring another night of quality football, international viewership, and on-field and off-field experiences.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Britain’s ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned on Sunday after taking responsibility for advising the prime minister to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK ambassador to the United States, despite Mandelson’s past links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, McSweeney said the decision had proved damaging. “The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself. When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice,” he said. Starmer is under mounting pressure following the release of newly published documents in the United States, part of a large cache of Epstein-related files made public by the US Justice Department. The documents suggest that Mandelson, while serving as the UK’s business secretary during the 2008 financial crisis, shared market-sensitive information with Epstein. The revelations have triggered a political storm in the UK, raising sharp questions about Starmer’s judgment in appointing Mandelson, 72, to one of Britain’s most important diplomatic posts in 2024. Mandelson, a former Cabinet minister, ambassador and senior figure within the Labour Party, has not been arrested or charged. Starmer’s government has said it will release its own emails and documentation related to Mandelson’s appointment, maintaining that these records will show Mandelson misled officials about the extent of his contacts with Epstein. Mandelson was removed from his ambassadorial role in September following earlier disclosures about his Epstein ties. However, critics argue that the latest documents have intensified concerns and that Starmer should not have approved the appointment in the first place. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers searched Mandelson’s London residence and another property linked to him on Friday. Police said the investigation is complex and will require “a significant amount of further evidence gathering and analysis.” The resignation of McSweeney marks the most serious political fallout so far for Starmer, as scrutiny grows over how Mandelson’s appointment was approved and whether warning signs were ignored.

England’s Sam Curran celebrates after wining against Nepal during the T20 World Cup (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

England captain Harry Brook admitted he was surprised by the way Nepal’s batters attacked senior leg-spinner Adil Rashid during their T20 World Cup opener on Sunday. The former champions were pushed to the limit before eventually sealing a narrow four-run victory after posting a challenging target of 185.

“It wasn’t easy at all, thankfully got over the line. They played extremely well and not many teams take Adil Rashid like they did. I thought we were in a very good position to defend that. I wish them all the best for the rest of the competition,” Brook said at the post-match presentation ceremony. England’s total of 184 for seven was built around aggressive half-centuries from Jacob Bethell and Brook, along with a late burst from Will Jacks, whose 39 came off just 18 balls. “Beth played outstanding, the way he was rocking back and hitting the spinners into the stands was great. I just said we put 2-3 wickets and it all changes. We have so many options. I don’t think Sam (Curran) bowled until a lot later. “Rashid got a tap there and it’s not often that he doesn’t bowl four overs. I am sure he will bounce back. He knew exactly what he was going to bowl,” Brook added. Nepal skipper Rohit Paudel said his side arrived at the tournament with the intention of competing strongly and challenging top teams, something reflected in their performance against England. “I think the boys gave it all. I am very proud of them. We had the belief when we came to this World Cup. We didn’t come here just to participate. The result didn’t go our way but effort wise we gave 100% in every department. Last over Sam Curran bowled really well. We will improve from there.” Rohit said. Discussing the chase, he added, “We were calculating. We wanted to wickets in hands with 10 runs per over in the last few overs. It wasn’t a plan to take on Adil Rashid and it just happened. We will not take any team lightly. “We as a team need to be at our 100%. They are very passionate. The whole of Kathmandu, Nepal came here to support us. I think all of Nepal will be proud of us.” Man of the Match Will Jacks also praised Nepal’s effort after they pushed England deep into the final stages of the contest. “I think full credit to Nepal. They were absolutely brilliant. We saw that this was tricky when we batted, but they played against us really very well and they really took us close there,” Jacks said. Speaking about his own batting, he added, “It’s nice to spend some time in the middle (on his batting). I’ve been a bit short over the last month or so and by keeping it simple, the guys in the middle have described to me what it’s like out there, so just let the ball come, nice and easy to do it.” On Nepal’s decision-making late in the innings, particularly around the final over that cost 21 runs, Jacks said, “I saw they were debating. I think the helmet ran out and then ran off, so obviously in hindsight they might have done that, but all in all they were tactically very good. “They’ve obviously pushed us right to the edge there. I think if the surfaces are going to continue to behave like that, then that’s going to be crucial going forward.” Jacks also stressed that teams will need to adjust quickly to pitch conditions in the upcoming matches, saying adaptability will play a crucial role as the tournament progresses.

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NEW DELHI: Researchers have confirmed the discovery of a new species of dragonfly, Lyriothemis keralensis, from the low-lying coastal regions of Kerala. Commonly called the Slender Bombardier, the species was formally identified after more than ten years of research, according to news agency PTI.The breakthrough study was carried out by a team led by Dr Dattaprasad Sawant, Dr A Vivek Chandran, Renjith Jacob Mathews and Dr Krushnamegh Kunte, and has been published in the International Journal of Odonatology.

Initially mistaken for a known species

The dragonfly was first spotted in 2013 in the Varappetty area of Kothamangalam. At the time, scientists believed it belonged to Lyriothemis acigastra, also known as the Little Bloodtail, a species commonly found in northeast India.Detailed examination in later years, however, showed that the Kerala specimen had distinct physical and behavioural features, prompting researchers to classify it as a separate species.

Distinct physical features set it apart

According to the research paper, Lyriothemis keralensis differs from the Little Bloodtail in several ways. It has a slimmer abdomen along with a unique tail and genital structure.Male dragonflies have a deep blood-red abdomen with black markings, while females are slightly broader and display yellow and black colouring. The species measures about three centimetres in length and was also confirmed through the study of century-old museum specimens.

Thrives in plantations, not forests

Unlike many dragonfly species, Lyriothemis keralensis does not inhabit protected forest areas. Instead, it thrives in human-modified irrigation landscapes such as pineapple and rubber plantations.Researchers found it mainly in shaded canals and seasonal pools within agricultural land, making its habitat preference unusual and highly specific.

Call to rethink conservation priorities

Researcher Vivek Chandran stressed the need to broaden conservation efforts beyond forests. “It is crucial that our actions for the preservation of biodiversity do not focus solely on forests,” he said, as quoted by PTI, adding that odonates occupy a wide range of habitats, including human-dominated areas.The species appears during the monsoon season and retreats once the rains subside. Since its survival depends on fragile microhabitats outside national parks, researchers warned that its future rests largely on human responsibility and the protection of local ecosystems within farmlands.

NEW DELHI: A day after a 25-year-old biker plunged to his death in a 14-foot-deep pit in Janakpuri, police have arrested the sub-contractor who dug the pit for water works. As biker Kamal Dhyani lay in the open pit, the sub-contractor came to the site at night after being alerted to the accident by his labourer, looked at the victim, and walked away without calling for rescue. Kamal lay in the pit for more than six hours before police were finally alerted in the morning.

Read also:‘Headlight was still on’: How a pit dug hours before tragedy became death trap for Delhi bikerThe accused sub-contractor has been identified as Rajesh Kumar Prajapati, a resident of Tri Nagar, who told cops he did not inform police because he was frightened.Deputy commissioner of police (west) Darade Sharad Bhaskar said they found an eyewitness named Vipin Singh who had seen a bike fall into the pit. He, along with his family, saw the accident while going home in Sagarpur after attending a wedding in Rohini. He informed a residential complex guard, who then told the contractor’s labour Yogesh.

Janakpuri Pit Dug Hours Before Tragedy; No Warning Signs PutPolice are also searching for the labourer who, after being informed about the biker, called up his boss but did not take any action to help the victim.“When Yogesh saw the victim, the motorcycle’s headlight was still on. He then informed his boss Prajapati at 12.22 am that this was confirmed through call records. The subcontractor reached the spot within 15-20 minutes from his home in Tri Nagar,” the DCP said.

Police suspect Yogesh has likely fled to his hometown Etawah in Uttar Pradesh. Police have questioned the security guard for sequence of events and also they will question main contractor who hired the sub-contractor.Police were alerted about the accident around 8.03 am on Friday by a woman who was on her way to drop her son to school.TOI spoke to the family of the woman who alerted the PCR. They said she was on her way to drop her son at school around 8 am when she noticed the motorcycle in the pit. “My wife first informed a security guard (different from the guard whom Vipin informed), but he paid no attention. As more people gathered, she asked them to alert the police, but they made excuses-one even claimed he didn’t have balance on her phone,” her husband said. Frustrated, she stayed at the scene and called the PCR herself, requesting immediate assistance.Police sources said that on the night of the incident, Prajapati made two to three calls, and those he contacted will also be questioned.Prajapati told cops that he had been in this construction work field only after COVID. “We have asked for documents from the Delhi Jal Board to verify for whom he was employed at the time of the incident,” a senior police officer said.The inquiry also revealed that the pit into which Kamal fell had been dug on the afternoon of Jan 5, just hours before the accident. There was another pit in the vicinity, which was dug earlier, and regular commuters were familiar with it. However, this was a fresh excavation, which Kamal might not have accounted for, the officer added.Police had said the on-site inspection showed the Delhi Jal Board and its contractors failed to ensure basic safety during excavation, including barricading, warning signs, reflectors and lighting. Despite knowing open pits could be fatal, they took no precautions and deployed no security guard.

In a thrilling Group C T20 World Cup 2026 clash at the Wankhede Stadium, England narrowly escaped a historic upset against a fearless Nepal side on February 8, 2026. Chasing a target of 185, Nepal pushed the 2022 champions to the final delivery, losing by a mere four runs in a contest that saw momentum swing wildly.

The associate nation matched England’s power and tactical intensity, leaving the world giants visibly rattled until the dying moments. For England, the victory was a relieved survival rather than a dominant statement, as their bowling attack struggled to contain Nepal’s aggressive middle order. This thriller has immediately become the talk of the tournament, highlighting the closing gap between cricket’s elite and its rising forces. The result keeps England’s campaign on track, but not without exposing significant vulnerabilities in their death-over execution.

T20 World Cup 2026: Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook help England with a bat against Nepal

The encounter at the Wankhede Stadium was a gripping affair as Nepal’s ‘Rhinos’ pushed the former champions to their absolute limits throughout a tense afternoon. After Harry Brook won the toss and opted to bat, Nepal’s Sher Malla produced a dream start, dismissing Phil Salt for just 1 run with his very first delivery in international cricket, sending the Mumbai crowd into a frenzy. England found themselves in early trouble at 64/3 in the 7th over after

Sandeep Lamichhane trapped Tom Banton LBW, but the momentum shifted during a vital 71-run partnership between Jacob Bethell and skipper Harry Brook. Jacob Bethell was the star of the show, smashing a brilliant 55 off 35 balls with four sixes and four boundaries, becoming only the second England player after Kevin Pietersen to score a fifty on his T20 World Cup debut.

Brook matched the intensity with 53 off 32 balls before falling to Nandan Yadav. Despite a late-innings wobble where Dipendra Singh Airee removed both Bethell and Sam Curran, Will Jacks provided the final fireworks with an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls*, lifting England to a commanding 184/7. Nepal’s bowlers remained disciplined, with Dipendra Airee (2/23) and Nandan (2/25) leading the charge to keep the contest alive until the very last ball of the innings.

Also WATCH: T20 World Cup 2026: Tim Siefert and Finn Allen’s funny collision leads to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s lucky escape during NZ vs AGF clash

Sam Curran holds nerve in final over as Nepal falls agonizingly short of historic T20 World Cup 2026 upset

Chasing 185, Nepal launched a fearless counter-attack that stunned the England bowling attack and kept the Wankhede crowd on the edge of their seats. Kushal Bhurtel provided a rapid start with 29 runs, but it was the magnificent 82-run partnership between captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Airee that truly threatened to upend the world champions.

Airee was particularly destructive, scoring 44 off 29 balls and becoming the first Nepalese player to reach 2,000 T20I runs in the process, while Paudel anchored the chase with a composed 39. However, Liam Dawson (2/21) and Curran managed to break the stand just as the required rate began to climb.

Nepal refused to surrender, as Lokesh Bam played a scintillating cameo of 39 off 20 balls*, smashing Jofra Archer and Luke Wood for boundaries to bring the equation down to 10 runs needed off the final over. With the game on the line, Sam Curran showcased his experience under extreme pressure, nailing his yorkers and conceding only 5 runs. Nepal ended their innings at 180/6, losing by a heartbreaking 4-run margin in what will be remembered as one of the closest Associate challenges in tournament history.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Nepal

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

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 8, 2026

Incredible from Nepal.@NepalCricket

They are surely one of best amongst emerging cricketing nations.

Huge potential and upside.👏 #icct20worldcup2026

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 8, 2026

The comms by @CricketBadge was absolutely brilliant .. Loved the insights into all the Nepal team .. 🙌🙌🙌

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 8, 2026

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 this is how champions rise 👏🏻 The cricketing world is watching!#ENGvsNEP #ICCT20WORLDCUP…

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 8, 2026

Heartbreak for Nepal. I don’t think any team will underestimate them from here. And after these first couple of days I hope no one doubts the value of having an expanded T20 World Cup.

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) February 8, 2026

Nepal, Netherlands, Afghanistan & USA have all had a proper crack at far more fancied and resourced opponents. 20 team World Cups are good for the game in the era of franchise cricket ✅ https://t.co/nL5XkOqszV

— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) February 8, 2026

Every #T20WorldCup it just feels like Nepal are getting one step closer to the top shelf. Their massive fan base is ready for the rise. They’ve been ready & waiting for a long time. What a performance tonight in Mumbai

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 8, 2026

Having seen Nepal’s cricketing circuit closely late last year, I got a first hand view of how deeply they love the sport. The cultural similarity we share with them reflects in their equally deep rooted love for the game too. Saw several Nepalese fans travelling from Delhi to…

— Priyank Panchal (@PKpanchal09) February 8, 2026

All the moaning about how having a T20 WC every 2 years is overkill was coming almost entirely from Full Member player/media voices. USA played 0 T20Is v FMs since end of 2024 T20 WC. Today was Nepal’s 1st ever match v England. If not at a T20 WC, when do Associates get a chance?

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) February 8, 2026

🤯 NEPAL PUSH ENGLAND TO THE LIMIT!

A nail-biter at Wankhede as England escape with a 4-run win.

One of the most thrilling games of #T20WorldCup2026 🏏🔥

Scorecard: https://t.co/nHvDdS48NF#Cricket #Nepal #NepalCricket #ENGvNEP #ENGvsNEP #Wankede #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ANnxccHdku

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 8, 2026

Also READ: Jacob Bethell equals Kevin Pietersen with rare England feat in T20 World Cup 2026 match vs Nepal