Mumbai, India:
The Nepal vs England T20 clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 delivered one of the most gripping encounters of the tournament so far, as cricket fans at the Wankhede Stadium witnessed a near-historic upset that went right down to the final ball. England, one of the pre-tournament favourites, survived a fierce challenge from a fearless Nepal side, eventually securing a dramatic four-run victory in a match that had momentum swinging until the very end.
What was expected to be a routine group-stage fixture turned into a nerve-shredding contest that underlined Nepal’s rapid rise in international T20 cricket. England posted a competitive total of 184 for 7 after opting to bat first, but Nepal’s spirited chase of 180 fell agonisingly short despite a remarkable late surge.
Match Overview: Nepal vs England T20 World Cup 2026
| Match | Nepal vs England |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match Number | 5th Match |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Toss | England won the toss and chose to bat |
| England Score | 184/7 (20 overs) |
| Nepal Score | 180/9 (20 overs) |
| Result | England won by 4 runs |
England Opt to Bat First on a True Wankhede Surface
Winning the toss on a batting-friendly Wankhede pitch, England captain Jos Buttler elected to bat first, aiming to put scoreboard pressure on a Nepal side that has earned respect for its fearless brand of cricket.
However, England’s innings did not begin as planned.
Early Setbacks Put England Under Pressure
England suffered an immediate blow when opener Phil Salt was dismissed in just the second over, leaving England struggling at 5 runs. Nepal’s disciplined new-ball bowling and sharp fielding applied early pressure, preventing England from settling into their usual explosive rhythm.
Jos Buttler attempted to stabilise the innings and counter-attack, scoring a brisk 26 off 17 balls, but his dismissal in the fifth over meant England were two wickets down inside the powerplay — a rare sight for the defending champions.
Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook Turn the Tide
With England wobbling, Jacob Bethell stepped up with a sensational innings that changed the complexion of the match. Displaying confidence beyond his years, Bethell combined timing with brute power, punishing loose deliveries and rotating strike intelligently.
At the other end, Harry Brook provided ideal support, matching Bethell’s intensity and ensuring England maintained momentum through the middle overs. The duo stitched together a vital partnership that lifted England from a precarious position to a commanding total.
Both batters went on to score fluent half-centuries, anchoring England’s recovery and setting the platform for a strong finish.
England Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jos Buttler | 26 | 17 | 3 | 1 |
| Jacob Bethell | 58 | 34 | 6 | 2 |
| Tom Banton | 14 | 11 | 1 | 1 |
| Harry Brook | 55 | 32 | 5 | 3 |
| Sam Curran | 12 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Will Jacks | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Others | 11 | — | — | — |
| Total | 184/7 | 20 overs | — | — |
Nepal’s Bowlers Keep England in Check
Despite England’s strong finish, Nepal’s bowlers deserve immense credit for preventing the total from crossing the 200-run mark.
Nepal Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 4 | 29 | 2 |
| Nandan Yadav | 4 | 34 | 2 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | 4 | 36 | 1 |
| Sher Malla | 4 | 41 | 1 |
| Karan KC | 2 | 21 | 0 |
Dipendra Singh Airee’s variations and Nandan Yadav’s discipline stood out as Nepal kept striking at key moments.
Nepal Begin the Chase With Confidence
Chasing 185 against a full-strength England bowling attack, Nepal showed no signs of intimidation. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh got off to a brisk start, finding boundaries early and making full use of the powerplay.
The first breakthrough came in the fourth over when Aasif Sheikh was dismissed with Nepal on 37 runs. Soon after, Bhurtel departed at 42, putting Nepal two down but still well in the chase.
Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Build Hope
Nepal captain Rohit Paudel and all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee then produced a composed partnership that kept Nepal firmly in the contest. Rotating strike efficiently and punishing bad balls, the pair guided Nepal past the 100-run mark by the 12th over.
Just as Nepal seemed poised for a famous chase, England struck back. Dipendra Singh was dismissed in the 15th over with the score at 124, followed quickly by Rohit Paudel, who fell in the 16th over at 126 — a double blow that threatened to derail Nepal’s hopes.
Late Drama as Lokesh Bam Sparks Belief
With wickets falling, Nepal needed something special — and Lokesh Bam delivered exactly that. Showing remarkable composure under pressure, Lokesh attacked England’s premier fast bowler Jofra Archer, smashing two towering sixes in the 18th over.
Suddenly, the equation shifted dramatically.
Nepal required 24 runs from the final two overs, and belief surged both in the Nepal camp and among neutral fans inside the stadium.
Over-by-Over Breakdown of the Thrilling Final Overs
19th Over (Luke Wood)
- Ball 1: Four
- Ball 2–3: Two wides
- Ball 4: Dot
- Ball 5: Four
- Ball 6: Wide
- Ball 7: Two runs
- Ball 8: One run
- Ball 9: Gulshan Jha bowled
Runs needed after 19 overs: 10 from 6 balls
20th Over (Sam Curran)
- Ball 1: Dot
- Ball 2: One run
- Ball 3: One run
- Ball 4: Two runs
- Ball 5: Dot
- Ball 6: One run
Nepal needed six off the final ball, but Lokesh could manage only a single. England sealed the match by four runs, surviving one of the closest finishes in recent T20 World Cup history.
Nepal Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Kushal Bhurtel | 21 | 14 |
| Aasif Sheikh | 18 | 12 |
| Rohit Paudel | 36 | 29 |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 32 | 20 |
| Aarif Sheikh | 14 | 11 |
| Lokesh Bam | 38* | 22 |
| Gulshan Jha | 7 | 5 |
| Others | 14 | — |
| Total | 180/9 | 20 overs |
England’s Bowling Holds Nerve Under Pressure
England’s bowlers endured immense pressure but held their composure at the death.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Curran | 4 | 32 | 1 |
| Jofra Archer | 4 | 41 | 1 |
| Luke Wood | 4 | 38 | 2 |
| Adil Rashid | 4 | 29 | 2 |
| Liam Dawson | 4 | 31 | 1 |
Playing XIs
England Playing XI
| England |
|---|
| Phil Salt |
| Jos Buttler |
| Jacob Bethell |
| Tom Banton |
| Harry Brook |
| Sam Curran |
| Will Jacks |
| Liam Dawson |
| Jofra Archer |
| Adil Rashid |
| Luke Wood |
Nepal Playing XI
| Nepal |
|---|
| Kushal Bhurtel |
| Aasif Sheikh |
| Rohit Paudel |
| Dipendra Singh Airee |
| Aarif Sheikh |
| Lokesh Bam |
| Gulshan Jha |
| Karan KC |
| Nandan Yadav |
| Sandeep Lamichhane |
| Sher Malla |
What This Nepal vs England T20 Match Means for the Tournament
While England walked away with the points, this Nepal vs England T20 match will be remembered as a statement performance from Nepal. Pushing a heavyweight like England to the final ball on one of the biggest stages in world cricket speaks volumes about Nepal’s growth.
For England, the match serves as a warning. Despite the win, their bowling at the death and vulnerability under pressure will be areas of concern as the tournament progresses.
For Nepal, this narrow defeat feels less like a loss and more like a declaration — they are no longer underdogs, but genuine competitors capable of unsettling any top side.
Also read:England vs Nepal Prediction: Match Preview, Playing XI & Analysis – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Conclusion:
Cricket fans were treated to a classic at Wankhede, where skill, courage, and nerve collided in a match that showcased everything great about T20 cricket. The Nepal vs England T20 encounter proved that the gap between emerging nations and established powers is rapidly closing — and the 2026 T20 World Cup is richer for it.
If this match is any indication, Nepal’s journey in the tournament is far from over — and England will know they were pushed to the brink.
