T20 World Cup: England survive Nepal scare

Published: 06:13 PM, 8 Feb, 2026
T20 World Cup
T20 World Cup: England survive Nepal scare

Sam Curran held his nerve in a tense final over to deny a resilient Nepal a historic victory as England edged out a narrow win in a thrilling T20 World Cup encounter on Sunday.

Chasing a challenging target of 185, Nepal fought bravely but fell just short, finishing on 180 for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

In the match played in Mumbai, England won the toss and elected to bat first against Nepal.

The defending champions posted a competitive total of 184 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Jacob Bethell led the batting charge for England with an impressive 55 runs, while Harry Brook provided solid support, scoring 53.

For Nepal, Dipendra Singh and Nandan Yadav were the standout bowlers, claiming two wickets each.

In reply, Nepal mounted a spirited chase, putting the English bowlers under pressure with aggressive stroke play.

The team reached 180 for 6 at the end of 20 overs, falling agonisingly short of the 185-run target.

Nepal needed 10 runs off the final over, but England’s Sam Curran held his nerve under pressure, conceding only five runs to deny Nepal a historic victory and seal a dramatic win for his side.

Despite the loss, Nepal earned widespread praise for their fearless performance against one of the tournament favourites.

AFP adds: 

England clung on to beat Nepal by four runs in a last-ball thriller in Mumbai on Sunday and avoid one of the biggest upsets in the history of the T20 World Cup.

Chasing an imposing 185 to win, Nepal's Lokesh Bam, who had bludgeoned a brave 39 off 19 balls to give his side a sniff of a famous win, needed a six off the final delivery bowled by Sam Curran but could only manage a single.

It was a breathless and agonising end to a valiant run chase by the cricketing minnows, who put England's premier bowlers Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid to the sword.

Jacob Bethell (55) and Harry Brook (53) scored quick fifties for England but it was a late cameo by Will Jacks that took them to 184-7 in the Group C match, a total that proved just enough.

Jacks smashed three spectacular sixes off the final over from Karan KC to finish 39 not out off 18 balls .

Nepal ended a whisker away at 180-6, to the disappointment of nearly all the spectators in a three-quarters full Wankhede stadium who had been roaring them on.

- 'Winning ugly' -
 

Nepal's players received a massive ovation as they did a lap of honour at the end.

"Winning ugly is a good trait to have," a relieved Jacks told reporters after England's 11th win in their last 12 completed T20 internationals.

"It will serve us in good stead later in the tournament."

Nepal got off to a flying start in their chase, Kushal Bhurtel crunching 29 off 17 balls before Jacks had him caught and bowled.

Captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee came together at 42-2 and brought up Nepal's 100 in the 12th over.

Pace man Archer, who conceded 14 off his first over, was brought back and this time put on the brakes, conceding just six runs from his next two overs.

But the Nepali batsmen took a liking to Rashid at the other end, launching the leg-spinner for 19 off his third over with Airee hitting two sixes and a four.

- 'It wasn't easy' -
 

An unusually loose display from England's number one white ball spinner saw him finish with an expensive 0-42 from three overs.

"It wasn't easy at all, thankfully we got over the line," said England captain Brook.

"They played extremely well, not many teams take Adil Rashid down the way they did.

"They put us in a tricky situation. I thought we were in a very good position to defend that, didn't think it would go as close.

"I wish them all the best for the rest of the competition."

The blitz left Nepal needing 62 off the last six overs with eight wickets in hand.

Left-arm seamer Curran returned and immediately got the vital breakthrough, ending the 82-run partnership for the third wicket when Airee holed out to Tom Banton for 44 off 29 balls.

The wicket slowed Nepal's charge and Paudel on 39 then swept Liam Dawson to Phil Salt at deep midwicket to leave them 126-4 in the 16th over.

Archer came back for a final over and it was costly as he was thrashed for three sixes and 22 runs by Lokesh to leave Nepal needing 24 off 12 balls for an unlikely win.

They took 14 from Luke Wood's final over to leave 10 from six balls but could only manage five as Curran held his nerve.

"Result-wise, it didn't go our way, but effort-wise, I give 100 percent on fielding, bowling and batting," said Nepal captain Paudel.

"England were also struggling with death bowling, but Sam Curran bowled really well."

Dawson was the pick of England's bowlers with 2-21 while Archer had 1-42 from his four as England just held on.

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