England edge out brave Nepal by 4 runs in thrilling T20 World Cup opener at Wankhede

England secured a narrow 4-run victory over Nepal in the 5th match of Group C at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, in a nail-biting encounter at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium. England posted 184/7 after opting to bat first, and Nepal fell agonizingly short at 180/6 in their chase, showcasing tremendous fight from the Associate nation in their tournament opener.

England's middle-order firepower sets a competitive total

England's innings got off to a shaky start with openers Philip Salt (1) and Jos Buttler (26) departing early. However, Jacob Bethell anchored the innings with a brisk 55 off 35 balls, featuring 4 fours and 4 sixes. Captain Harry Brook contributed a fluent 53 off 32 deliveries (4 fours, 3 sixes), while Will Jacks provided an explosive finish with an unbeaten 39 off just 18 balls, smashing 1 four and 4 sixes.

Nepal's bowlers kept things tight initially, with Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav claiming two wickets each. Sandeep Lamichhane picked up one, but England's late surge, including partnerships like Bethell-Brook (71 runs) and Jacks-Brook (21 runs), pushed the total to a challenging 184-7. The powerplay yielded 57 runs, setting a solid platform despite regular wickets.

Nepal's valiant chase falls just short

Chasing 185, Nepal started aggressively with Kushal Bhurtel scoring 29 off 17. Aasif Sheikh added 7 before falling to Liam Dawson. The middle order shone brightly as Rohit Paudel made 39 off 34, and Dipendra Singh Airee blasted 44 off 29 (6 fours, 1 six). Their 82-run stand for the third wicket kept Nepal in contention.

Lokesh Bam played a heroic unbeaten knock of 39 off 20 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes), bringing Nepal close with late boundaries. However, key wickets from Liam Dawson (2-21), Sam Curran (1-27), and others restricted the flow. Nepal needed 10 off the final over but managed only 5, finishing at 180/6.

Liam Dawson was economical with his spin, while Jofra Archer (1-42) and Luke Wood (1-31) chipped in during crucial phases. Adil Rashid went for runs, but the bowlers held nerve in the death overs.

England start campaign with a hard-fought win

This victory gives England two crucial points in Group C, but Nepal's spirited performance earned widespread praise for their competitiveness against a full-member side.

England will look to build momentum in upcoming fixtures, while Nepal's brave show boosts confidence for their remaining group games.

Catch the live action of the T20 World Cup 2026 with the complete T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule, and the T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table. Also, know who is currently leading the charts for Most Runs in T20 World Cup 2026 and Most Wickets in T20 World Cup 2026.