In a nail-biting Group C encounter on February 8, 2026, England edged past Nepal by four runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, narrowly avoiding one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history.
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that proved crucial in a high-scoring contest.
Defending 184, England held their nerve as Nepal fell just short at 180/6, with Sam Curran producing a brilliant final over to concede only five runs when Nepal needed 10 off the last six balls.
Nepal’s Fightback
Nepal’s chase was anchored by an 82-run partnership between captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee after early wickets dented their momentum. Despite losing both batters in quick succession, Lokesh Ram kept the dream alive with a late blitz, including two sixes off Jofra Archer in the 18th over. Lokesh remained unbeaten on 39 off 20 balls, but England’s disciplined death bowling sealed the win.
Earlier, Nepal had started positively with Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel scoring at a brisk pace before Luke Wood dismissed Aasif (9). Will Jacks then struck in the powerplay to remove Bhurtel, triggering Nepal’s middle-order rebuild.
Dipendra missed out on a half-century, scoring 44 off 29 balls, while Paudel contributed 39 off 34. Liam Dawson led England’s bowling with figures of 2/21, while Curran, Wood, Archer, and Jacks picked up a wicket each.
England’s Recovery
England endured a shaky start, slipping to 57/3 following early dismissals of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler. However, Jacob Bethell and Brook steadied the innings with a crucial 71-run partnership.
Bethell struck 55 off 35 balls, while Brook smashed 53 off 32 balls to put England on track for a competitive total. Will Jacks then provided the late flourish with an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls, including three sixes in the final over, lifting England to 184/7.
Player of the Match
Will Jacks was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 39 and his wicket of Kushal Bhurtel, finishing with figures of 1/17.
Brief Scores
England: 184/7 in 20 overs (Jacob Bethell 55, Harry Brook 53, Will Jacks 39*; Dipendra Singh Airee 2/23, Nandan Yadav 2/25)
Nepal: 180/6 in 20 overs (Dipendra Singh Airee 44, Rohit Paudel 39, Lokesh Ram 39*; Liam Dawson 2/21)
England won by 4 runs