In an exciting Group C T20 World Cup 2026 conflict on the Wankhede Stadium, England narrowly escaped a historic upset towards a fearless Nepal aspect on February 8, 2026. Chasing a goal of 185, Nepal pushed the 2022 champions to the ultimate supply, shedding by a mere 4 runs in a contest that noticed momentum swing wildly.
The affiliate nation matched England’s energy and tactical depth, leaving the world giants visibly rattled till the dying moments. For England, the victory was a relieved survival reasonably than a dominant assertion, as their bowling assault struggled to comprise Nepal’s aggressive center order. This thriller has instantly develop into the discuss of the match, highlighting the closing hole between cricket’s elite and its rising forces. The consequence retains England’s marketing campaign on observe, however not with out exposing important vulnerabilities of their death-over execution.
T20 World Cup 2026: Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook assist England with a bat towards Nepal
The encounter on the Wankhede Stadium was a gripping affair as Nepal’s ‘Rhinos’ pushed the previous champions to their absolute limits all through a tense afternoon. After Harry Brook gained the toss and opted to bat, Nepal’s Sher Malla produced a dream begin, dismissing Phil Salt for simply 1 run together with his very first supply in worldwide cricket, sending the Mumbai crowd right into a frenzy. England discovered themselves in early bother at 64/3 within the seventh over after
Sandeep Lamichhane trapped Tom Banton LBW, however the momentum shifted throughout a significant 71-run partnership between Jacob Bethell and skipper Harry Brook. Jacob Bethell was the star of the present, smashing an excellent 55 off 35 balls with 4 sixes and 4 boundaries, turning into solely the second England participant after Kevin Pietersen to attain a fifty on his T20 World Cup debut.
Brook matched the depth with 53 off 32 balls earlier than falling to Nandan Yadav. Regardless of a late-innings wobble the place Dipendra Singh Airee eliminated each Bethell and Sam Curran, Will Jacks offered the ultimate fireworks with an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls*, lifting England to a commanding 184/7. Nepal’s bowlers remained disciplined, with Dipendra Airee (2/23) and Nandan (2/25) main the cost to maintain the competition alive till the final ball of the innings.
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Sam Curran holds nerve in remaining over as Nepal falls agonizingly wanting historic T20 World Cup 2026 upset
Chasing 185, Nepal launched a fearless counter-attack that shocked the England bowling assault and saved the Wankhede crowd on the sting of their seats. Kushal Bhurtel offered a fast begin with 29 runs, however it was the magnificent 82-run partnership between captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Airee that really threatened to upend the world champions.
Airee was significantly harmful, scoring 44 off 29 balls and turning into the primary Nepalese participant to succeed in 2,000 T20I runs within the course of, whereas Paudel anchored the chase with a composed 39. Nevertheless, Liam Dawson (2/21) and Curran managed to interrupt the stand simply because the required charge started to climb.
Nepal refused to give up, as Lokesh Bam performed a scintillating cameo of 39 off 20 balls*, smashing Jofra Archer and Luke Wooden for boundaries to carry the equation all the way down to 10 runs wanted off the ultimate over. With the sport on the road, Sam Curran showcased his expertise underneath excessive stress, nailing his yorkers and conceding solely 5 runs. Nepal ended their innings at 180/6, shedding by a heartbreaking 4-run margin in what can be remembered as one of many closest Affiliate challenges in match historical past.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Nepal
I provide my companies to you in the event you ever want em!
Up, up and UP!— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 8, 2026
Unbelievable from Nepal.@NepalCricket
They’re certainly considered one of greatest amongst rising cricketing nations.
Enormous potential and upside.👏 #icct20worldcup2026
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 8, 2026
The comms by @CricketBadge was completely good .. Liked the insights into all of the Nepal workforce .. 🙌🙌🙌
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 8, 2026
Enormous respect to Nepal🇳🇵Took on probably the greatest groups on the planet, stayed within the combat until the final ball and confirmed what perception and coronary heart can do! 🫡 That is how groups develop and that is how champions rise 👏🏻 The cricketing world is watching!#ENGvsNEP #ICCT20WORLDCUP…
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 8, 2026
Heartbreak for Nepal. I don’t assume any workforce will underestimate them from right here. And after these first couple of days I hope nobody doubts the worth of getting an expanded T20 World Cup.
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) February 8, 2026
Nepal, Netherlands, Afghanistan & USA have all had a correct crack at way more fancied and resourced opponents. 20 workforce World Cups are good for the sport within the period of franchise cricket ✅ https://t.co/nL5XkOqszV
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) February 8, 2026
Each #T20WorldCup it simply looks like Nepal are getting one step nearer to the highest shelf. Their large fan base is prepared for the rise. They’ve been prepared & ready for a very long time. What a efficiency tonight in Mumbai
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 8, 2026
Having seen Nepal’s cricketing circuit carefully late final yr, I received a primary hand view of how deeply they love the game. The cultural similarity we share with them displays of their equally deep rooted love for the sport too. Noticed a number of Nepalese followers travelling from Delhi to…
— Priyank Panchal (@PKpanchal09) February 8, 2026
All of the moaning about how having a T20 WC each 2 years is overkill was coming virtually solely from Full Member participant/media voices. USA performed 0 T20Is v FMs since finish of 2024 T20 WC. At the moment was Nepal’s 1st ever match v England. If not at a T20 WC, when do Associates get an opportunity?
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) February 8, 2026
🤯 NEPAL PUSH ENGLAND TO THE LIMIT!
A nail-biter at Wankhede as England escape with a 4-run win.
Probably the most thrilling video games of #T20WorldCup2026 🏏🔥
Scorecard: https://t.co/nHvDdS48NF#Cricket #Nepal #NepalCricket #ENGvNEP #ENGvsNEP #Wankede #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ANnxccHdku
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 8, 2026
Additionally READ: Jacob Bethell equals Kevin Pietersen with uncommon England feat in T20 World Cup 2026 match vs Nepal
