Mumbai, February 8, 2026: England narrowly avoided a historic upset, defeating Nepal by just 4 runs in a nail-biting encounter at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The match, played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, delivered drama till the final ball.
England Sets a Competitive Total
England posted a challenging 184/7, thanks to explosive half-centuries from Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell, with Will Jacks providing crucial late-fireworks. Nepal’s bowlers, led by Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Singh Airee, remained disciplined, restricting England’s momentum in the middle overs. Nandan Yadav picked up key wickets to keep the English batters in check.
Nepal Launches a Spirited Counter-Attack
Chasing 185, Nepal started cautiously, losing Aasif Sheikh early and Kushal Bhurtel inside the Powerplay. The team bounced back through a brilliant 82-run partnership between captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee, with Airee scoring 44 and becoming the first Nepalese batter to cross 2,000 T20I runs. Lokesh Bam delivered a blistering 39 off 20 balls*, keeping hopes alive for a historic win.
Heart-Stopping Finish at Wankhede
The game reached its climax in the final over, with 10 runs needed off 6 balls. England’s Sam Curran held his nerve under immense pressure to secure a last-ball victory, denying Nepal a sensational upset.
Player Reactions
England skipper Harry Brook acknowledged the challenge, praising Nepal’s fight while highlighting the importance of Will Jacks’ late innings and Sam Curran’s calm under pressure. Nepal captain Rohit Paudel expressed pride in his team, emphasizing their competitive spirit and learning opportunities for the future.
Player of the Match: Will Jacks
Will Jacks was named Player of the Match for his crucial 39 off 18 balls and 1/17 in 2 overs. He praised Nepal’s performance and highlighted the importance of spinners in the match.
While England takes home the points, the match exposed vulnerabilities in their pace attack, with Jofra Archer, Luke Wood, and Adil Rashid having expensive outings. Nepal, however, showed they can challenge top teams, and their spirited fight will be remembered as a highlight of the tournament.