[WATCH] T20 World Cup 2026: Nepal fan wins hearts by cleaning stadium after thrilling clash vs England

Nepal may have fallen just short against England in their T20 World Cup 2026 encounter on February 8 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, but they won widespread admiration for their fighting spirit on and off the field. While the thrilling contest went down to the wire, it was a heartwarming moment after the match that truly captured the attention of fans worldwide.

A video clip that surfaced on social media showed a Nepal fan staying back in the stands after the match to pick up garbage left behind by spectators. While most of the crowd exited the stadium once the game concluded, the fan chose to clean the area, collecting waste scattered across the seats and aisles.

The thoughtful gesture was carried out purely out of a sense of responsibility, not as a staged act, and it made the job easier for the Wankhede Stadium cleaning staff. The clip quickly went viral, with netizens flooding the comment sections with praise. Many applauded the fan’s civic sense and humility, calling the act inspiring and a reminder of basic social responsibility.

On the field, Nepal put up a valiant fight in their opening match of the tournament. England, batting first, got off to a shaky start after Sher Malla dismissed Phil Salt in the second over. However, half-centuries from Jacob Bethell (55) and skipper Harry Brook (53) steadied the innings. The duo stitched together a vital 71-run partnership off just 45 balls for the third wicket, helping England post a competitive total of 184 runs in 20 overs.

In reply, Nepal showed tremendous resilience. Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee led the chase with a crucial 82-run stand off 54 balls for the third wicket. Later, Lokesh Bam played a sensational cameo, scoring an unbeaten 39 off just 20 balls, bringing Nepal within touching distance of a historic victory. However, Sam Curran held his nerve in the final over, successfully defending the target as Nepal fell short by four runs.

Nepal will now turn their focus to their next group-stage fixture against Italy, scheduled to take place on February 12, 2026, once again at the Wankhede Stadium, as they look to build on their encouraging performance.