Mumbai: England narrowly escaped a stunning upset in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener, edging past plucky Nepal by just 4 runs in a heart-stopping thriller at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
After opting to bat first, the two-time champions posted 184/7, but Nepal’s spirited chase took the match to the final ball, leaving fans captivated.
Captain Harry Brook (53 off 32) and Jacob Bethell (55 off 35) rescued England from a shaky 57/3, while Will Jacks smashed an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls to propel the total. Nepal’s bowlers, led by Dipendra Singh Airee (2/23), kept the pressure on, restricting the big hitters.
Chasing 185, Nepal fought valiantly. Dipendra Singh Airee top-scored with 44; captain Rohit Paudel contributed 39; and Lokesh Bam’s explosive unbeaten 39 off 20 balls – including 22 in the 18th over and 14 in the 19th – brought them tantalisingly close. Needing 10 off the last over, they managed only 5 against Sam Curran’s composed bowling, finishing at 180/6.
The dramatic finish saw Nepal needing 48 off the final three overs before the momentum swung. Liam Dawson (2/21) and others chipped in for England, but it was Curran’s final-over heroics that sealed the deal, earning England 2 crucial points in Group C.
This thrilling match showcased Nepal’s increasing ability to defeat elite teams, almost leading to a historic victory, while England managed to avert an early setback in their campaign. The Wankhede crowd witnessed pure T20 magic, underscoring the tournament’s unpredictability from day one.