Nepal vs England T20 Highlights: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed one of its most dramatic and emotionally charged encounters as Nepal came agonisingly close to scripting a historic upset against defending champions England. In a contest that went right down to the final delivery, England narrowly escaped with a four-run victory at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Despite being clear underdogs heading into the match, Nepal showed extraordinary resilience, skill, and fearlessness, pushing a far more experienced England side to the absolute limit. For long periods of the match, it felt as though cricket history was on the verge of being rewritten. However, England’s composure under pressure ultimately helped them survive what could have been one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history.
These Nepal vs england t20 highlights will be remembered not just for the thrilling finish, but also for Nepal’s rise as a competitive force on the global stage.
Match Overview: A Contest That Had Everything
| Match | England vs Nepal |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match Number | 5 |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Toss | England won and chose to bat |
| England Score | 184/7 (20 overs) |
| Nepal Score | 180/9 (20 overs) |
| Result | England won by 4 runs |
The packed Wankhede crowd was treated to a rollercoaster of emotions as momentum swung repeatedly between the two sides. What began as a seemingly comfortable England total soon turned into a nerve-shredding chase that left fans holding their breath until the very last ball.
England’s Batting: Recovery After Early Damage
England won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that initially looked questionable when they lost an early wicket. The aggressive Phil Salt was dismissed in just the second over, leaving England reeling at 5 for 1.
The early breakthrough energised Nepal, whose bowlers bowled with discipline and confidence against one of the strongest batting line-ups in world cricket.
Early Struggles at the Top
England captain Jos Buttler tried to steady the innings and injected momentum with a few fluent strokes. However, his stay was short-lived. Buttler departed in the fifth over after scoring 26 runs from 17 balls, leaving England in a slightly uncomfortable position.
At that stage, Nepal sensed an opportunity to apply sustained pressure.
Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook Change the Game
Just when Nepal appeared to have England under control, Jacob Bethell stepped up with an innings that completely changed the complexion of the match. Displaying remarkable maturity and fearless shot-making, Bethell attacked the bowlers from the outset.
Harry Brook, batting at the other end, matched Bethell’s intent with a fluent and aggressive approach. The duo stitched together a commanding partnership that lifted England from uncertainty to dominance.
Key Batting Contributions for England
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Bethell | 52 | 31 | 6 | 2 |
| Harry Brook | 55 | 34 | 5 | 3 |
| Jos Buttler | 26 | 17 | 3 | 1 |
| Sam Curran | 18 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
Thanks largely to the twin half-centuries from Bethell and Brook, England surged past the 180-run mark, finishing with 184 for 7 at the end of their 20 overs.
Nepal’s Bowling: Courage, Control, and Character
While England’s final total was competitive, Nepal’s bowlers deserve immense credit for never losing belief. They stuck to their plans, mixed their lengths cleverly, and managed to pick up wickets at crucial intervals.
Dipendra Singh Airee once again underlined his value as a match-winner with the ball, while Nandan Yadav impressed with his accuracy and control.
Nepal Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 4 | 29 | 2 |
| Nandan Yadav | 4 | 32 | 2 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | 4 | 34 | 1 |
| Sher Malla | 3 | 27 | 1 |
| Karan KC | 3 | 33 | 0 |
Nepal ensured England were unable to completely run away with the game, a factor that proved crucial later in the match.
Nepal’s Chase: A Statement of Intent
Chasing 185 against a team like England is never easy, especially under World Cup pressure. However, Nepal began their innings with confidence and positivity, showing no signs of intimidation.
The openers laid a solid platform before the first breakthrough arrived in the fourth over, when Aasif Sheikh was dismissed with Nepal on 37.
Soon after, Kushal Bhurtel fell at a total of 42, giving England a brief sense of control. But Nepal were far from done.
Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee Lead the Fightback
Captain Rohit Paudel played a calm and composed innings, anchoring the chase while Dipendra Singh Airee provided the momentum. The pair combined beautifully, rotating strike efficiently and punishing loose deliveries.
By the 12th over, Nepal had crossed the 100-run mark, sending a clear message that they were not merely participating—they were competing.
Unfortunately for Nepal, the crucial partnership ended in the 15th over when Dipendra Singh Airee was dismissed with the score at 124.
Nepal Key Batting Performances
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Paudel | 43 | 35 | 4 | 1 |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 34 | 22 | 3 | 2 |
| Lokesh Bam | 31 | 18 | 2 | 3 |
| Aasif Sheikh | 18 | 14 | 2 | 0 |
When Rohit Paudel was dismissed in the 16th over at 126, the pressure intensified. A brief collapse followed as Arif Sheikh also departed at 146, leaving Nepal with a daunting task in the final overs.
Lokesh Bam Ignites Hope with a Stunning Late Assault
Just when England appeared to be regaining control, Lokesh Bam produced a breathtaking counterattack that brought Nepal right back into the contest.
Facing Jofra Archer in the 18th over, Bam smashed two towering sixes, electrifying the stadium and reducing the equation to a manageable target.
At the end of 18 overs, Nepal needed 24 runs from the final 12 balls—a challenging but achievable task.
Last Two Overs: Pure T20 Drama
The 19th over, bowled by Luke Wood, was packed with tension and momentum shifts. A boundary off the first ball was followed by two wides, suddenly swinging the pressure back onto England.
Lokesh Bam continued to find gaps, while Nepal smartly rotated the strike. However, the over ended with a massive blow for Nepal as Gulshan Jha was bowled on the final delivery.
That wicket meant Nepal needed 10 runs from the final over.
Final Over: England Hold Their Nerve
The final over was a masterclass in pressure cricket. England kept things tight, conceding only singles and denying boundaries.
With six required off the last ball, Lokesh Bam could manage only a single, sealing a narrow four-run win for England.
The Wankhede crowd rose to its feet, applauding both teams for delivering a match worthy of the World Cup stage.
Playing XIs
England Playing XI
| Player |
|---|
| Phil Salt |
| Jos Buttler |
| Jacob Bethell |
| Tom Banton |
| Harry Brook |
| Sam Curran |
| Will Jacks |
| Liam Dawson |
| Jofra Archer |
| Adil Rashid |
| Luke Wood |
Nepal Playing XI
| Player |
|---|
| Kushal Bhurtel |
| Aasif Sheikh |
| Rohit Paudel |
| Dipendra Singh Airee |
| Arif Sheikh |
| Lokesh Bam |
| Gulshan Jha |
| Karan KC |
| Nandan Yadav |
| Sandeep Lamichhane |
| Sher Malla |
What This Match Means for Nepal
Despite the defeat, Nepal emerged as one of the biggest winners of the match. Taking England to the final ball on the biggest stage of world cricket has significantly enhanced Nepal’s reputation.
These Nepal vs england t20 highlights will inspire a new generation of cricketers in Nepal and serve as proof that associate nations can compete with the very best.
England Survive, But Questions Remain
For England, the result secured two crucial points, but the performance exposed vulnerabilities, particularly in death bowling and handling pressure situations.
While champions often find ways to win even on off days, England will know they cannot afford similar lapses against stronger opposition later in the tournament.
Conclusion:
Cricket fans will remember this match as one of the most thrilling encounters of the T20 World Cup 2026. Nepal’s fearless cricket, England’s narrow escape, and a last-ball finish combined to create a spectacle that embodied the spirit of the game.
If this match is any indication, Nepal’s future in international cricket looks incredibly bright—and the world is watching.