Thriller at Wankhede: England Survive Nepal Scare to Win by 4 Runs
In a match that will be remembered as one of the closest contests of the 2026 T20 World Cup, Nepal nearly pulled off a historic upset against England at the Wankhede Stadium. Chasing a formidable 185, the Rhinos fell agonizingly short by just 4 runs in a last-over thriller.
Match Highlights: ENG vs NEP
- Jacob Bethell (55 off 35) and Harry Brook (53 off 32) rescued England from 57/3 to post 184/7.
- Will Jacks provided a crucial late finish, smashing 39 off just 18 balls.
- Nepal made a fearless start with 31 runs in the first 3 overs before England fought back.
- Dipendra Singh Airee (44) and Rohit Paudel (39) kept the chase alive with a gritty partnership.
- Lokesh Bam's unbeaten 39* off 20 balls brought the equation down to 10 runs off the final over.
- Sam Curran held his nerve, conceding only 5 runs in the 20th over to seal the win.
England's Recovery: Bethell & Brook Shine
Sent in to bat, England wobbled early losing Phil Salt cheaply. However, debutant Jacob Bethell showed composure beyond his years, scoring a fluent half-century. He found an able partner in captain Harry Brook, and their 71-run stand laid the foundation for a big total. Will Jacks' explosive hitting in the death overs ensured England reached a competitive 184/7 despite disciplined bowling from Nepal’s spinners.
Nepal's Fearless Chase
Nepal refused to be intimidated by the target. Despite losing openers early, the middle order stood tall. Dipendra Singh Airee was the aggressor, taking on the English attack with six boundaries and a six. When he fell, Lokesh Bam took charge, playing audacious shots to keep the required run rate within reach. The Wankhede crowd roared as Nepal entered the final over needing just 10 runs for history.
"It wasn't easy at all, thankfully we got over the line. They played extremely well." - Harry Brook, England Captain.
The Final Over
With 10 needed off 6, Sam Curran bowled a masterclass of death bowling. He varied his pace and kept the ball wide, denying Lokesh Bam the elevation he needed. England survived, but Nepal won hearts with their fighting spirit.
Group C Standings (Live)
| Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +0.200 |
| West Indies | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +1.500 |
| Nepal | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -0.200 |
| Scotland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |