T20 World Cup 2026: England Edge Out Nepal By 4 Runs In Last-Ball Thriller

England edged out Nepal by 4 runs in their Group C opener of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Nepal came within touching distance of creating history as they nearly upset one of the competition’s favourites, scoring 180/6 in reply to England’s 184/7.

How England Beat Nepal?

Lokesh Bam (39 not out off 20 balls) kept Nepal’s hopes alive for an upset victory but couldn’t finish the game in the final over, despite a heroic effort.

Needing 10 runs off the last over, Nepal couldn’t find a boundary, managing only five runs as Sam Curran executed his yorkers flawlessly.

Over 17,000 fans packed the iconic Wankhede Stadium, with the majority being from Nepal, who witnessed their team punch far above their weight.

Skipper Rohit Paudel (39), Dipendra

Singh Airee (39), Kushal Bhurtel (29) and Lokesh, who smashed four boundaries and two sixes in a late assault, fought valiantly but couldn’t take their side over the line.

Lokesh launched a fierce attack when Nepal’s backs were against the wall, hitting two sixes off Jofra Archer’s 18th over and two consecutive fours off Luke Wood’s penultimate over when they needed 46 runs from the final three overs.

Bhurtel provided early fireworks while a robust 82-run stand for the third wicket between Paudel and Airee consolidated Nepal’s innings.

Even after losing an early wicket in the form of Aasif Sheikh (7), Bhurtel accelerated, scoring a 17-ball 29 with four boundaries and a six to set the tone.

But his promising start ended meekly when he gave a simple return catch to Will Jacks in the sixth over.

Nepal’s chase gained momentum in the 14th over when skipper Paudel attacked England’s seniormost bowler Rashid Khan, pulling a wrong’un into the stands for a six and driving the next ball powerfully through covers for four.

Paudel then produced the ‘shot of the match’ with a perfect switch-hit, sending the ball sailing over the deep square leg fielder.

However, a drinks break disrupted the momentum Paudel and Airee were building, with Airee mis-hitting one off Sam Curran in the 15th over.

Soon after, Paudel was dismissed when he swept one straight to Phil Salt at deep midwicket off Liam Dawson after a fine knock that had raised Nepal’s hopes.

Earlier, Jacob Bethell (55) and skipper Harry Brook (53) scored attacking fifties to power England to a formidable 184 for seven.

The young left-handed Bethell impressed on his T20 World Cup debut with a rapid half-century off 35 balls, including four sixes and as many fours, while skipper Brook got back among the runs, aiming to change the narrative around him.

Brook’s vital knock came off 32 balls with four sixes and three fours, contributing to a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket with Bethell, as Nepal bowlers presented a strong challenge.

Sher Malla celebrated when he had Phil Salt (1) caught on the first ball of his second over, while Nandan Yadav claimed the key wicket of Jos Buttler (26) just as he was starting to rebuild with Bethell.

Yadav pitched one outside off to have Buttler caught behind for Nepal’s second wicket in the fifth over, and the third came in the seventh when spinner Sandeep Lamichhane trapped Tom Banton leg-before while attempting a reverse sweep.

England added 45 runs in the final three overs, with Will Jacks hammering four sixes and a four to score 39 not out off 18 balls.

Fans wearing blue and red jerseys filled the stadium, cheering every dot ball and good effort by their players on the hallowed turf.

The sheer number of Nepal fans, who outnumbered the England supporters, showcased the passion for cricket in the Himalayan nation, and their players did not disappoint.

Nepal’s fielders held on to their catches, with Airee (2/23) and Yadav (2/25) taking two wickets each. Malla and Lamichhane also contributed to the wickets column.

(With inputs from Agencies)