England and Nepal delivered a thrilling match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with the Group C game remaining tense until the final moments. After choosing to bat first, England scored 184 for 7 in their 20 overs, setting a challenging target for Nepal.
The English innings featured several impactful performances. Jacob Bethell scored a quick 55 off 35 balls, helping keep the scoring steady even as wickets fell. Captain Harry Brook also contributed significantly with 53 runs off 32 balls, maintaining the team’s momentum.
Will Jacks finished off strongly, remaining unbeaten with 39 runs off 18 balls, adding crucial runs in the closing overs. Jos Buttler chipped in with 26 runs off 17 balls, ensuring England set a high target.
Nepal’s Sher Malla claimed a wicket on his first delivery in T20I, dismissing the dangerous Phil Salt. Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav each took two wickets in their three overs, while Sandeep Lamicchane bowled effectively throughout his four overs.
Nepal responded with confidence, matching England’s scoring rate. Despite losing key wickets, they maintained composure and attacked when possible. England’s bowlers faced a tough challenge as Nepal kept the pressure on, making the match highly competitive.
The game came down to the final overs, where Sam Curran held his nerve and secured the win for England. While England took home the victory, Nepal received praise for their strong performance against one of the tournament favorites.
Nepal’s openers, Kushal Bhurtel and captain Rohit Paudel, scored 29 and 39 respectively, giving their chase a strong start. However, Lokesh Bam stood out with a rapid 39 runs off just 20 balls. Dipendra Singh Airee also played well, scoring 44 runs.
Ultimately, it proved too challenging for Nepal as Liam Dawson and Curran’s effective bowling changed the game; Dawson took two wickets while conceding only 21 runs in four overs.
Top Batting Performance of the Match – Jacob Bethell
Jacob Bethell made an impressive debut in the T20 World Cup, scoring 55 runs off 35 balls at a strike rate of 157.14. He batted during a crucial time after England lost Phil Salt early and formed a vital partnership of 71 runs with captain Harry Brook.
