Mumbai : England defeated Nepal by 4 runs in Group C clash of ICC T20 WC 2026 at Mumbai. Sam Curran’s 20th over saved England from the upset.
Nepal started the big clash against England in brilliant fashion as Sher Malla got the wicket of the dangerous Phil Salt in the second over. Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell combined to add 38 runs together at a brisk pace before Nepal struck again, Nandan Yadav dismissing Jos Buttler (26 off 17).
England managed to amass 57 runs in the powerplay, but their troubles deepened immediately after as Sandeep Lamichhane struck with the first ball post the powerplay, trapping Tom Banton lbw.
Bethell and new batter Harry Brook led England’s fightback with a crucial 71-run partnership. Bethell played an important knock of 55 off 34 balls before he was dismissed by Dipendra Singh Airee.
Harry Brook completed his half-century with a fine knock of 53 off 32 balls before Nandan Yadav picked up his second wicket of the match by dismissing the England skipper.
Will Jacks’ blistering unbeaten 39 off just 18 balls provided the late flourish as England finished on a total of 184.
Nepal had a solid start to the chase led by Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh as Nepal raced to 31/0 in three overs. England struck back as Liam Dawson picked up the wicket of Aasif Sheikh, followed soon after by Will Jacks dismissing the dangerous Kushal Bhurtel for 29 off 17 balls.
Nepal ended the powerplay at 47/2 with skipper Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee at the crease. The experienced duo went about cutting into the target, steadily accumulating runs and shifting the pressure back onto England.
The pair stitched together a crucial 82-run partnership that formed the backbone of Nepal’s chase before Sam Curran struck to remove Dipendra Singh Airee. In the very next over, Liam Dawson dismissed skipper Rohit Paudel, completely swinging the momentum back in England’s favour.
A string of boundaries from Lokesh Bam kept Nepal’s hopes alive. A 14-run penultimate over tightened the equation, leaving Nepal needing 10 off the final six deliveries.
Sam Curran held his nerve under pressure, conceding just six runs in a brilliant final over to seal the win for England and hand Nepal a heartbreaking defeat.
