T20 World Cup: Nepal misses upset by a whisker, England wins by 4 runs

In a closely contested Group C match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Mumbai, England posted a competitive total and held on to defeat Nepal by four runs in a thrilling encounter. England elected to bat first at the Wankhede Stadium and reached 184 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to key contributions from Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook.

England’s innings was anchored by Bethell’s fluent 55 off 35 balls and Brook’s controlled 53 off 32, while Will Jacks provided a late charge with an unbeaten 39, helping tilt the score towards a challenging target. Their efforts ensured England’s total was difficult for Nepal to chase despite early breakthroughs by the Nepalese bowlers. In reply, Nepal put up a spirited fight in pursuit of 185, showcasing strong performances from Dipendra Singh Airee, who scored 44, and Lokesh Bam, who struck 39 off just 20 balls. Nepal kept the match close and generated real pressure late in the game, threatening a major upset against the full-member side.

The match boiled down to the final overs, where England’s bowlers, led by Sam Curran and supported by tight fielding, managed to restrict Nepal’s chase. Despite Nepal’s encouraging performance, they fell just short, finishing on 180 for 6. England’s narrow four-run victory demonstrated both sides’ competitive spirit and set up an exciting Group C campaign.