The Nepal vs England match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the tournament so far. Played on February 8, 2026, at the famous Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, this Group C opener had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball. Nepal showed great courage and skill against a strong England team and lost by just 4 runs. The final score was England 184/7 and Nepal 180/6 in their chase of 185. It was a close fight that made everyone proud of Nepal’s effort.
England won the toss and chose to bat first. They started steadily with their openers. Jacob Bethell played a fine innings of 55 runs off 35 balls, hitting sixes and fours with good timing. Captain Harry Brook added 53 runs off 32 balls to give the innings a solid base. In the middle, the batting slowed a bit as Nepal’s bowlers took control. Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav each picked up two wickets. Sandeep Lamichhane bowled well and kept the runs down. However, Will Jacks came in late and hit an unbeaten 39 off just 18 balls to push the total to 184/7. It looked like a good score on that pitch, but Nepal’s bowlers made sure England did not run away with the game.
The chase in the Nepal vs England contest began with high energy. Kushal Bhurtel opened strongly and scored 29 runs off 17 balls, including four boundaries and one six. He attacked fast bowler Jofra Archer and hit some beautiful shots. After Bhurtel got out to Will Jacks, Aasif Sheikh scored 7 before falling to spin. Captain Rohit Paudel then came in and played a calm innings of 39 runs off 34 balls. He built partnerships and kept the chase alive.
Dipendra Singh Airee joined him and played a brilliant knock of 44 runs off 29 balls. He hit clean sixes against spin and looked set for a big score. The pair added important runs and brought Nepal close to the target. Later, Aarif Sheikh made 10 quick runs. When the pressure was on in the last few overs, Lokesh Bam stepped up in a big way. He smashed 39 not out off only 20 balls. His powerful hitting, especially against Archer, included big sixes that got the crowd cheering loudly. Lokesh Bam almost turned the game around with his fearless shots in the death overs.
In the final over, Nepal needed 10 runs. Sam Curran bowled tightly. There were dots, singles, and a couple of boundaries, but in the end, Nepal finished on 180/6. The last ball needed a six for victory, but it was not to be. England won by 4 runs, but Nepal earned huge respect for their fight.
This Nepal vs England game showed how much Nepal has improved. Their batting showed depth, from the strong start by Bhurtel to the calm middle overs by Paudel and Airee, and the explosive finish by Lokesh Bam. The bowling unit, with Lamichhane’s control and the variety from Airee and others, kept England under pressure. Nepal played smart cricket and never gave up, even when wickets fell.
For fans in Kathmandu and across Nepal, this match was special. People watched on big screens in cafes and homes. Every boundary and six brought loud cheers. Even after the loss, there was pride everywhere. Social media was full of messages praising the team for giving England such a tough time. It proved that Nepal can compete with top teams in T20 cricket.
Lokesh Bam was one of the stand-out performers. His quick 39 not out came at a time when Nepal needed big hits. He showed great confidence and power, hitting the ball cleanly over the ropes. His innings gave hope in the closing stages and made the game exciting until the end. Players like him add real strength to the team.
England played well, too. Their bowlers, especially Liam Dawson with two wickets for 21 runs, and Jacks with his all-round show, helped them defend the total. Archer bowled fast but was expensive at times. The win was important for them to start the tournament positively.
This close result is good news for Nepal moving forward. They have more matches in Group C, including against Scotland. The confidence from this game will help them. It also shows the value of the expanded T20 World Cup format. More teams get a chance to play big sides and gain experience.
In the end, the Nepal vs England match will be remembered as a classic. Nepal came so close to a historic upset. They played with heart, skill, and a never-say-die attitude. The team and fans can hold their heads high. Cricket in Nepal is growing stronger every day, and games like this inspire the next generation of players. Nepal ICC Ranking: Rhinos Shine at 17th in ODI Cricket
The future looks bright. With young talents shining and the whole country behind them, Nepal will keep fighting hard in every match. This was not just a game; it was a proud moment for Nepali cricket.
Full Scorecard Summary
England 184/7 (20 overs)
- Jacob Bethell: 55 (35)
- Harry Brook: 53 (32)
- Will Jacks: 39* (18)
- Nepal bowling: Dipendra Singh Airee 2/23, Nandan Yadav 2/25, Sandeep Lamichhane 1/25
Nepal 180/6 (20 overs) – Target 185
- Kushal Bhurtel: 29 (17)
- Rohit Paudel: 39 (34)
- Dipendra Singh Airee: 44 (29)
- Lokesh Bam: 39* (20)
- England bowling: Liam Dawson 2/21, others took wickets
England won by 4 runs. A match full of excitement and pride for Nepal!www.onlinekhabar.com