In the exciting C group T20 World Cup 2026 Clash at Wankhede Stadium, England He barely survived a historic upset against the Fearless Nepal party on February 8, 2026. Chasing a target of 185, Nepal pushed the 2022 champions to the last out and lost by just four runs in a contest that saw momentum swing wildly.
The united nation matched England’s strength and tactical intensity, visibly shaking the world’s giants to their dying moments. For England, the win was less a dominant statement than a relieved survival as the bowling attack struggled to contain Nepal’s aggressive middle order. The thriller immediately became the talk of the tournament, highlighting the gap closing between cricket’s elite and its rising powers. The result keeps England’s campaign on track, but without revealing significant weaknesses in the execution that resulted in the death.
T20 World Cup 2026: Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook help England with the bat against Nepal
The encounter at the Wankhede Stadium was a gripping affair on a tense afternoon as Nepal’s Rhinos pushed the former champions to their absolute limits. after Harry Brooke won the toss and dominated Nepal’s batting Sher Malla fired a dream starter Phil Salt just 1 run on his first appearance in international cricket, sending the Mumbai crowd into a frenzy. England were in early trouble at 64/3 at No.7
Sandeep Lamichhane fell into a trap Tom Banton LBW but the momentum shifted during a vital partnership of 71 between Jacob Bethell and the skipper Harry Brooke. Jacob Bethell He was the star of the show, smashing a brilliant 55 off 35 balls with four sixes and four boundaries, then became the second England player to do so. Kevin Pietersen Scoring a fifty on his T20 World Cup debut.
Brook matched the intensity with 53 off 32 balls before falling Nandan Yadav. Where he is swinging despite the late innings Dipendra Singh Airee with both Bethell and Sam Curran removed, Will Jacks provided the final fireworks with an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls* to lift England to a commanding 184/7. Nepal’s bowlers remained disciplined, with Dipendra Airee (2/23) and Nandan (2/25) leading the charge to keep the contest alive till the last ball of the innings.
Sam Curran gets angry in the final as Nepal fall agonizingly short of the historic T20 World Cup 2026.
Chasing 185, Nepal mounted a fearless counter-attack that stunned England’s bowling attack and kept the Wankhede crowd on the edge of their seats. Kushal Bhurtel It provided a quick start with 29 runs, but it was a magnificent 82-run partnership between the captain. Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Airee, who is really threatening to lift the world champions.
Airee was particularly devastating, scoring 44 off 29 balls and becoming the first Nepali player to reach 2,000 T20I runs in the process, while Paudel anchored the chase with 39 balls. Liam Dawson (2/21) and Curran managed to break the stand when the required rate began to rise.
Nepal refused to give up as Lokesh Bam played a scintillating cameo and smashed 39 off 20 balls*. Jofra Archer and Luke Wood need to get off the final over to reduce the equation to 10 runs for boundaries. With the game on the line, Sam Curran Showed his experience under extreme pressure, nailed his yorkers and conceded just 5 runs. Nepal finished their innings on 180/6, losing by a heartbreaking 4-run margin in what will be remembered as one of the closest Associate challenges in the history of the tournament.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Nepal
If you need it, I offer you my services!
Up, up and up!— Dale Stein (@DaleSteyn62) February 8, 2026
Incredible from Nepal.@NepalCricket
They are undoubtedly one of the best among emerging cricketing nations.
Great potential and upside.👏 #icct20worldcup2026
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 8, 2026
By contact @CricketBadge it was absolutely brilliant .. Loved the thoughts on the whole Nepalese team .. 🙌🙌🙌
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 8, 2026
Big respect to Nepal🇳🇵They took on one of the best teams in the world, stayed in the fight until the last ball and showed what faith and heart can do! 🫡 This is how teams grow and this is how champions rise👏🏻 The cricket world is watching!#ENGvsNEP #ICCT20WORLDCUP…
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 8, 2026
Nausea for Nepal. I don’t think any team will underestimate them from here. And after these first few days, I hope no one doubts the value of an expanded T20 World Cup.
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) February 8, 2026
Nepal, the Netherlands, Afghanistan and the United States all duly reached their more ambitious and resourceful rivals. The 20-team World Cup is good for the game in the era of franchise cricket https://t.co/nL5XkOqszV
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) February 8, 2026
Every #T20WorldCup It feels like Nepal is one step closer to the upper shelf. Their massive fan base is poised to soar. They have been ready and waiting for a long time. What a show tonight in Mumbai
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 8, 2026
After seeing Nepal’s cricket competition up close late last year, I saw first-hand how much they love the sport. The cultural similarity we share with them reflects their equally deep-rooted love for the game. Saw few Nepali fans traveling from Delhi….
— Priyank Panchal (@PKpanchal09) February 8, 2026
All the whining that having a T20 toilet every 2 years was too much came almost entirely from Full Member player/media voices. USA has played 0 T20Is v FM since the end of 2024 T20 WC. Today was Nepal’s first match against England. If not in the T20 toilet, when do Associates get a chance?
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) February 8, 2026
🤯 NEPAL THREATENS ENGLAND!
England escaped with a nail-biting 4-run win at the Wankhede.
One of the most exciting games #T20WorldCup2026 🏏🔥
Account card: https://t.co/nHvDdS48NF#cricket #Nepal #NepalCricket #ENGvNEP #ENGvsNEP #Walked #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ANnxccHdku
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 8, 2026
Also READ: Jacob Bethell equals Kevin Pietersen with a rare England feat against Nepal in T20 World Cup 2026.
