England vs Nepal — 5th Match, (ICC Men’s T20 World Cup) - Result, Highlights & Full Scorecard
SCORECARD
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PD Salt
c Lamichhane b Malla
|
1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
|
JC Buttler
c Aasif Sheikh b Yadav
|
26 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 153 |
|
JG Bethell
c Lokesh Bam b Airee
|
55 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 157 |
|
T Banton
lbw b Lamichhane
|
2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
|
HC Brook
c Malla b Yadav
|
53 | 32 | 4 | 3 | 166 |
|
SM Curran
b Airee
|
2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
|
WG Jacks
not out
|
39 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 217 |
|
JC Archer
run out (Aasif Sheikh/Karan KC)
|
1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
|
LA Dawson
not out
|
🦆 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karan KC | 3 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 11.7 |
| Sher Malla | 3 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 11.7 |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 3 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 7.7 |
| Nandan Yadav | 3 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 8.3 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | 4 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 6.3 |
| Kushal Bhurtel | 4 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 10.0 |
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
K Bhurtel
c & b Jacks
|
29 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 171 |
|
Aasif Sheikh
c Wood b Dawson
|
7 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 78 |
|
RK Paudel
c Salt b Dawson
|
39 | 34 | 2 | 2 | 115 |
|
DS Airee
c Banton b Curran
|
44 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 152 |
|
Aarif Sheikh
c Buttler b Archer
|
10 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 125 |
|
Lokesh Bam
not out
|
39 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 195 |
|
Gulsan Jha
b Wood
|
1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
|
Karan KC
not out
|
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Wood | 3 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 10.3 |
| Jofra Archer | 4 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 10.5 |
| Liam Dawson | 4 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 5.3 |
| Will Jacks | 2 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 8.5 |
| Adil Rashid | 3 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 14.0 |
| Sam Curran | 3.6 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.8 |
England vs Nepal T20 World Cup 2026: Preview, Prediction, and Wankhede Pitch Report
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup brings a mouth-watering “clash of worlds” to the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. On February 8, 2026, the defending champions England begin their title defense against the most passionate underdogs in world cricket: Nepal.
While the paper suggests a one-sided affair, cricket fans know that on a small ground like Wankhede, one “Himalayan” storm from Nepal’s hitters could change everything.
📊 The Numbers: Form & Head-to-Head
Head-to-Head Record
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T20Is Played: 0
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History in the Making: This is the first-ever T20 International between England and Nepal. There is no historical baggage—only a clean slate for an epic upset or a clinical masterclass.
Recent Form (Last 5 T20Is – Feb 2026)
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England (Form: W, W, W, L, L): The “Three Lions” are roaring again. They arrive in Mumbai fresh off a 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in late January. Their aggressive “Bazball” approach has translated perfectly to T20s under new captain Harry Brook.
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Nepal (Form: W, W, L, W, L): Nepal is the “in-form” Associate side. They won both their warm-up matches (against 🇦🇪 UAE and Canada) and are riding high on the confidence of their Nepal Premier League (NPL) success.
🏟️ Pitch Report: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
The Wankhede is a nightmare for bowlers and a dream for “six-hitters.”
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The Surface: Famous for its red soil, the pitch offers consistent bounce. The ball comes onto the bat beautifully, which suits England’s hard-hitting style.
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Boundaries: Extremely short. Even mistimed edges can fly into the stands.
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The “Sea Breeze” Factor: Since it’s a 3:00 PM start, there will be some initial swing for Jofra Archer and Sompal Kami, but once the sun starts setting, it becomes a complete batting paradise.
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Average 1st Innings Score: 185+. Anything less than 200 is “chaseable” here.
🌟 Players to Watch (The Stats)
England
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Phil Salt: The “Beast Mode” opener. He has been in terrifying form, recently smashing 141 vs South Africa. On Wankhede’s flat deck, he could aim for a century.
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Adil Rashid: The silent assassin. In subcontinent conditions, his leg-spin is England’s greatest weapon. He currently holds 31 wickets in T20 World Cup history.
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Harry Brook (C): Under pressure due to off-field headlines, Brook is looking to answer with the bat. He recently bludgeoned 136 off 66 balls in an ODI.
Nepal
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Sandeep Lamichhane: The superstar. With 129+ T20I wickets, he is the only Nepali player with extensive experience in Indian conditions (IPL). His 4 overs will decide if Nepal stays in the game.
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Dipendra Singh Airee: Known as the “Tiger,” he recently hit an unbeaten 50 in the warm-ups. He is one of the few players in history to hit 6 sixes in an over.
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Kushal Bhurtel: Nepal’s most aggressive opener. If he survives the first 3 overs of Jofra Archer’s pace, he can dominate the powerplay.
🧠 The Fan’s Perspective: Pain Points & Intent
As a fan, you’re likely asking the “nervous” questions. Let’s address them:
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“Is England too strong for Nepal?” * Pain Point: Fans hate boring, one-sided games.
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Reality: England’s aggressive style means they take risks. If Nepal’s spinners (Sandeep/Lalit) can snag 3 early wickets, England’s middle order can occasionally crumble under pressure.
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“Will the ‘Rhino’ fans show up?” * Reality: Expect Wankhede to be a sea of red. Nepali fans are expected to travel in thousands from across the border, making this feel like a home game for Nepal.
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“Where to Watch?” * Live on Star Sports and streaming on JioHotstar at 3:00 PM IST.
🔮 Match Prediction: The Verdict
Win Probability: * England: 95%
-
Nepal: 5%
Final Prediction: England’s depth is simply too much for an emerging side. However, don’t expect Nepal to go down without a fight. We predict England to post a massive total (210+) and Nepal to respond with a spirited 160-170, ultimately losing but winning the hearts of the Mumbai crowd.
Match Squad
England
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood
Nepal
Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Sher Malla, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane
England (ENG) Hold Nerve Against Nepal (NEP) in Wankhede T20 World Cup Thriller
England (ENG) survived a late Nepal (NEP) surge to win by 4 runs in a dramatic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group C clash at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. What looked like a routine defense turned into one of the most competitive chases of the tournament, with Nepal pushing England deep into the final over.
The match combined tactical bowling changes, middle-overs partnerships, and a decisive death-overs finish — exactly the kind of contest that defines modern T20 cricket.
1st Innings — England (ENG) 🚩
England (ENG) 🚩
Batters
Jacob Bethell ⭐ 55 (35, 4s: 4, 6s: 4, SR: 157.14)
Harry Brook ⭐ 53 (32, 4s: 4, 6s: 3, SR: 165.62)
Will Jacks ⭐ 39* (18, 4s: 1, 6s: 4, SR: 216.67)
Jos Buttler ⭐ 26 (17, 4s: 5, 6s: 0, SR: 152.94)
Bowlers
Dipendra Singh Airee 🎯 3-0-2 (7.70)
Nandan Yadav 🎯 3-0-2 (8.30)
Sandeep Lamichhane 🎯 4-0-1 (6.20)
Sher Malla 🎯 3-0-1 (11.70)
England’s innings followed a classic three-phase structure. The Powerplay (57/2) was aggressive despite losing Salt early, while the middle overs were controlled through the Bethell-Brook partnership. The innings then accelerated dramatically in the final overs, driven by Will Jacks’ finishing burst, pushing the total to 184/7 on a batting-friendly Wankhede pitch.
2nd Innings — Nepal (NEP) 🚩
Nepal (NEP) 🚩
Batters
Dipendra Singh Airee ⭐ 44 (29, 4s: 6, 6s: 1, SR: 151.72)
Rohit Paudel ⭐ 39 (34, 4s: 2, 6s: 2, SR: 114.71)
Lokesh Bam ⭐ 39* (20, 4s: 4, 6s: 2, SR: 195.00)
Kushal Bhurtel ⭐ 29 (17, 4s: 4, 6s: 1, SR: 170.59)
Bowlers
Liam Dawson 🎯 4-0-2 (5.20)
Sam Curran 🎯 4-0-1 (6.80)
Jofra Archer 🎯 4-0-1 (10.50)
Luke Wood 🎯 3-0-1 (10.30)
Nepal’s chase of 185 was fearless and tactically smart. Their Powerplay was slightly slower, but the middle overs were excellent through Paudel and Airee, who kept the required rate under control. The chase nearly flipped in Nepal’s favor when Lokesh Bam launched a late counterattack, turning the final overs into a pressure situation for England.
Phase Analysis — England vs Nepal Batting
| Match Phase | England | Nepal | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay | 57/2 (RR 9.50) | 42/2 (RR 7.00) | England attacked early despite wickets |
| Middle Overs | 80/2 (RR 8.88) | 83/2 (RR 9.22) | Nepal slightly ahead through Airee-Paudel |
| Death Overs | 47/3 (RR 9.40) | 55/2 (RR 11.00) | Nepal finished stronger statistically |
This comparative phase breakdown shows that Nepal actually outperformed England in two of the three phases, but England’s scoreboard pressure from Jacks’ late hitting ultimately proved decisive.
Tactical Analysis — Spin vs Pace Impact
Nepal’s chase revealed a clear tactical pattern.
Against pace (Archer, Wood, Curran):
112 runs | 3 wickets | SR 164.7
Against spin (Dawson, Rashid, Jacks):
68 runs | 3 wickets | SR 113.3
The difference came in the middle overs, where Liam Dawson’s control and Adil Rashid’s pressure overs slowed Nepal’s scoring rhythm. That slowdown forced Nepal to take risks late in the chase.
This is the match’s key tactical takeaway: England’s spin control created the pressure that the pacers later defended.
Unique Records & Standout Moments
Several notable milestones emerged from this England vs Nepal encounter:
Sher Malla’s Dream Debut:
Sher Malla dismissed Phil Salt on his very first T20I delivery, becoming Nepal’s first player to achieve this milestone.
Harry Brook Captaincy Milestone:
Brook scored a fifty in his T20 World Cup captaincy debut, joining a rare group of England captains.
Jacob Bethell’s Breakthrough:
The 22-year-old scored his maiden T20 World Cup half-century.
Nepal Record:
180/6 became Nepal’s highest T20 World Cup total against a Full Member nation.
Dawson’s Control Spell:
His middle-overs economy proved to be the most impactful bowling performance of the match.
Visual Match Narrative
A run-rate progression graph would show England’s late surge in overs 18–20, while a worm graph would highlight Nepal closing the gap rapidly before England regained control at the death.
A Manhattan chart would clearly emphasize the difference between England’s finishing overs and Nepal’s final push led by Lokesh Bam.
Advanced Match Analytics
England’s innings followed a structured scoring curve — aggressive Powerplay, stable middle phase, and explosive finish. Nepal’s chase had stronger late-overs acceleration but slightly slower early scoring.
From a tournament perspective, England’s win strengthens their Net Run Rate position in Group C, while Nepal’s competitive performance keeps qualification hopes alive if they convert future chases.
Match Conclusion
Winner: England (ENG)
Margin: 4 runs
Man of the Match: Jacob Bethell ⭐
Key takeaway: England’s middle-overs control through spin and late-overs finishing power proved just enough to stop Nepal from pulling off a historic upset at Wankhede