ENG vs NEP: Last-Ball Drama in Mumbai as Nepal Go Down Fighting in T20 World Cup

Mumbai: The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed its most exhilarating contest yet as a resilient Nepal side pushed defending heavyweights England to the absolute limit. In a match that swung like a pendulum until the final delivery at the historic Wankhede Stadium, England managed to scrape through with a narrow 4-run victory.

Middle-Order Rescue Acts After winning the toss and opting to bat, England’s high-octane top order struggled to find its rhythm. Opener Phil Salt fell for just 5, and despite a brief 26-run cameo from skipper Jos Buttler, the English side looked vulnerable at 53/2 in five overs. However, the youth brigade took charge. Jacob Bethell smashed a defiant half-century, finding an able partner in Harry Brook. Their aggressive partnership steered England to a formidable total of 184/7. Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav were the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets apiece with disciplined spells.

Victory in Mumbai ?

A nail-biter in our @T20WorldCup opener with Nepal ?

Match Centre: https://t.co/mOHOKi4lxYpic.twitter.com/L6mhoOekk7

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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 8, 2026

Nepal’s Fearless Chase Chasing 185, Nepal showed they belonged on the big stage. A blistering start saw them reach 37 before Aasif Sheikh was dismissed. Despite losing Kushal Bhurtel (42) shortly after, Captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee stitched together a masterclass in middle-over consolidation. The duo’s clinical hitting brought up Nepal’s 100 in just the 12th over, sending shockwaves through the English camp.

The Final Over Drama The momentum shifted when Nepal lost Airee and Paudel in quick succession, leaving them with a mountain to climb. With 24 needed off the final two overs, Lokesh Bam took the fight to Jofra Archer, clobbering two massive sixes to bring the equation down to 10 runs off the last over.

The tension was palpable as Wankhede held its breath. England’s death bowling finally found its mark, restricting the flow of boundaries. With 6 needed off the ultimate ball, Bam could only manage a single, leaving Nepal agonizingly short by 4 runs but earning a standing ovation for their heroic effort.