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England vs Nepal Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Sam Curran holds his nerve as England beat Nepal in last-over thriller

England vs Nepal Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: England survived a major scare to defeat Nepal by four runs in a dramatic T20 Wor...

The Times of India | Feb 08, 2026, 19:07:01 IST

COMPLETED - Match 5 - Mumbai
NEP  
180/620.0 Overs
COMPLETED
Eng  
184/720.0 Overs 
England beat Nepal by 4 runs
View detailed match updates
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19:07 (IST), Feb, 08

Goodbye from this thriller! England secures the points after a nervy finish, while Nepal can take plenty of positives from a fighting loss. But don't go anywhere because the cricket action continues. We are shifting gears immediately for the next clash, where Sri Lanka locks horns with Ireland in what promises to be a cracking contest. The game has already started, so just switch tabs for more excitement. Cheers!

19:05 (IST), Feb, 08

The victorious skipper of England - Harry Brook says that it wasn't an easy game at all but they got over the line. Adds that there are not many players who can take down Adil Rashid. He says that the total was great but Nepal were outstanding. He adds that Will Jacks' knock towards the end was crucial and that is the reason they got over the line. He ends by saying that Sam Curran bowled well, and he was calm under pressure.

19:03 (IST), Feb, 08

The captain of Nepal - Rohit Paudel says there is obviously disappointment, but more than anything, he is proud of how his team performed. Adds that the fight they showed against England was outstanding. Mentions they came in with one clear goal, to give their absolute best, and the players did exactly that. Tellls they did not come to this World Cup just to take part, they came to compete, and this game showed that. Further adds that the result did not go their way, but across batting, bowling, and fielding, the effort was right up there. Admits that the last few overs are an area to improve, and England handled that phase better, but they will learn from it. During the key partnership, the idea was to stay calm, keep wickets in hand and manage the chase smartly, and that approach worked well for them. Says going ahead, everyone will respect every opponent and make sure they bring their best each time. Playing in India with so many Nepalese fans in the stands was something special, and their support pushed them to give everything out there.

18:56 (IST), Feb, 08

Presentation Time...

18:44 (IST), Feb, 08

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Will Jacks receives the award for his crucial 39 off 18 with the bat, and 1/17 (2) with the ball. He starts by giving credit to Nepal for an outstanding performance in this game. Adds that they found the surface a bit tough while batting, but Nepal handled the spin excellently and pushed them to their limits. Mentions that it was good to spend some time out there, and says that the focus was to keep things simple, and to trust the information from the batters who went out there. Further adds that it was difficult against the slower bowlers at the start, and says that Nepal might reflect on the last over, but overall, they were very good with their tactics. He feels that spinners will have a big role to play if the conditions remain the same and praises Liam Dawson for his performance. Ends by saying that the new haircut has started well, with one win in one game and he hopes the results continue to be positive.

18:44 (IST), Feb, 08

It was a narrow escape for England! While England takes the points, they have plenty to ponder. Liam Dawson was the standout with the ball, bowling an economical spell and taking two wickets, but it was a forgettable outing for the pace duo of Jofra Archer and Luke Wood. They picked up a wicket each but were expensive. Their main spinner, Adil Rashid, was wicketless and expensive as well. 

18:43 (IST), Feb, 08

The heart popping finish -  Just as Nepal looked poised for a historic upset, the tide turned. Dipendra Singh Airee fell in the 15th over, and Paudel followed shortly after with 39, leaving the lower order to finish the job. Lokesh Bam refused to go down without a fight, smashing a blistering 39* off 20 balls to keep the dream alive. However, the experience of Sam Curran just about prevailed in the death as Nepal agonizingly fell short by 4 runs!

18:41 (IST), Feb, 08

Nepal launched a great counter-attack - Chasing 185, Nepal showed no signs of getting intimidated. Despite losing Aasif Sheikh early and Kushal Bhurtel falling for a quickfire 29 inside the Powerplay, the game was far from over. The duo of captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee turned the tables with a magnificent 82-run partnership off just 54 balls. Airee was instrumental, scoring 44 and becoming the first Nepalese batter to cross 2000 T20I runs, putting the pressure right back on England.

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18:40 (IST), Feb, 08

England had set a challenging total - Earlier in the day, England posted a competitive 184/7, though it wasn't smooth sailing. While Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell lit up the stadium with explosive half-centuries, and Will Jacks provided late fireworks, Nepal's bowlers were disciplined. Their spinners, particularly Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Singh Airee, choked the run flow in the middle overs, while Nandan Yadav picked up crucial wickets to keep the English batters in check.

18:36 (IST), Feb, 08

A last-ball thriller at Wankhede! What an absolute thriller we have witnessed here in Mumbai. In a game that swung like a pendulum, England has managed to hold their nerve to edge past a spirited Nepal side by just 4 runs. It all came down to the final over, where Sam Curran was given the task with 10 runs needed off 6 balls. He delivered under immense pressure, sealing a last-ball victory that saved England’s blushes. Heartbreak for Nepal, who fought till the end. They can walk away with their heads held high.

18:34 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs19.6
Score180 - 6

Sam Curran to Lokesh Bam, Heartbreak for Lokesh Bam, and Nepal! So close, yet cruelly out of reach. Sam Curran steps up when his team needed him the most. He does not quite get the yorker right, but bowls a low full toss. Not an easy ball to hit for six. Lokesh Bam fails to get under it fully and only drills it as far as long off for one. He gets down on his knees at the other end and is inconsolable as he feels this got away from them. There is a sense of relief in the English camp, they just about get over the line here. ENGLAND WIN BY 4 RUNS!

18:33 (IST), Feb, 08

6 needed off 1 ball. Extended chat between the bowler and Harry Brook. Jos Buttler also joins. You can cut the tension with a knife here. 

18:32 (IST), Feb, 08

0
Overs19.5
Score179 - 6

Sam Curran to Lokesh Bam, Right in the blockhole, on middle, Lokesh Bam jams it out towards long on. He sets off the run but then decides against it. Probably the right thing to do, as if anyone can do it for Nepal, it is Bam. 6 needed off the last ball.

18:31 (IST), Feb, 08

2
Overs19.4
Score179 - 6

Sam Curran to Lokesh Bam, Fuller delivery, on the pads, Lokesh Bam picks it up and whips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 6 from 2 now. One big hit will do it for Nepal. Can Bam be the hero for them?

18:30 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs19.3
Score177 - 6

Sam Curran to Karan KC, Gets the yorker in, on middle and leg, Karan KC can only jam it out towards long on for a run. Nepal need 8 runs in 3 balls.

18:28 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs19.2
Score176 - 6

Sam Curran to Lokesh Bam, A full toss, on off, Lokesh Bam lofts it towards long off for a single. He is looking for the second but it is not available. 

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18:28 (IST), Feb, 08

0
Overs19.1
Score175 - 6

Sam Curran to Lokesh Bam, Good start from Sam Curran! He goes fuller and around off, almost in the blockhole, Lokesh Bam looks to go big down the ground but misses. 10 needed off 5 now.

18:27 (IST), Feb, 08

Stop everything. You simply cannot miss this. Nepal need 10 from the final over to pull off a famous upset on the grand stage. Lokesh Bam on strike, Karan KC is the new batter at the non-striker end. Sam Curran with the ball, pressure thick enough to cut. Here we go.

18:26 (IST), Feb, 08

0
Overs18.6
Score175 - 6

Luke Wood to Gulshan Jha, OUT! CASTLED! Luke Wood finishes the over well here. He goes full and straight, attacking the stumps. Gulshan Jha stays deep inside the crease and has a swing across the line but misses due to the extra pace. The ball goes through to shatter the stumps. Nepal are 175/6, but the good thing for them is Lokesh Bam will be on strike for the final over.

18:25 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs18.5
Score175 - 5

Luke Wood to Lokesh Bam, More good fielding from Will Jacks! Overpitched delivery, on middle, Lokesh Bam crouches low and slogs it hard and wide of long on. Jacks quickly runs to his left and stops it well to keep it to just one run.

18:24 (IST), Feb, 08

2
Overs18.4
Score174 - 5

Luke Wood to Lokesh Bam, JUST SHORT! A full toss, on middle, Lokesh Bam lofts it down the ground but does not get the timing. Will Jacks from long on runs to his left and dives but fails to reach it. However, he does well to get his body behind the line to stop the boundary. Two taken.

18:24 (IST), Feb, 08

1wd
Overs18.4
Score172 - 5

Luke Wood to Lokesh Bam, WIDE! This is not good from Luke Wood! He fails to execute the wide yorker once again, bowls this outside the wide guideline. Nepal won't mind, they will take a few more of these if they can.

18:22 (IST), Feb, 08

4
Overs18.3
Score171 - 5

Luke Wood to Lokesh Bam, FOUR! Lokesh Bam is playing a blinder here! This is a slower one, full and around off. Bam tries to loft it over mid off, who is up in the circle. He does not get it from the middle of the bat but gets enough to clear the fielder. The fielder from long on runs to his left but cannot cut it out as the ball trickles away to the fence for a boundary. 14 needed in 9 now.

18:21 (IST), Feb, 08

0
Overs18.2
Score167 - 5

Luke Wood to Lokesh Bam, A precious dot! Luke Wood finally gets it right, serves this full and around off, angling away. Lokesh Bam goes down for the slog sweep but only connects with thin air.

18:21 (IST), Feb, 08

1wd
Overs18.2
Score167 - 5

Luke Wood to Lokesh Bam, WIDE! Another one! This shows England are under pressure here. Wood spills another full delivery, way outside off, Lokesh Bam lets it go. 18 needed in 11 now.

18:20 (IST), Feb, 08

1wd
Overs18.2
Score166 - 5

Luke Wood to Lokesh Bam, WIDE! Tries the wide yorker, but bowls this way outside off, Lokesh Bam leaves it alone. Wided.

18:19 (IST), Feb, 08

4
Overs18.1
Score165 - 5

Luke Wood to Lokesh Bam, FOUR! Perfect start to the over for Nepal! It does not matter how the runs come as long as they keep coming. Fuller and around off, Lokesh Bam goes down to swipe it away but gets a top edge over the keeper's head for a boundary. 20 needed in 11 now.

18:18 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs17.6
Score161 - 5

Jofra Archer to Lokesh Bam, Overpitched and on middle, Lokesh Bam makes room and drives it to sweeper cover for one and keeps the strike. 24 needed in 12 now.

18:16 (IST), Feb, 08

6
Overs17.5
Score160 - 5

Jofra Archer to Lokesh Bam, SIX MORE! Bam goes boom... Nepal are not backing down here. Archer bangs this into the pitch, but gives no pace to the batter. Lokesh Bam is expecting that, he moves inside the line of the ball and pulls it away. The fielder at deep square leg thinks he is in the game but only watches it sail over his head for another six.

18:16 (IST), Feb, 08

6
Overs17.4
Score154 - 5

Jofra Archer to Lokesh Bam, SIX! What a shot under pressure! Jofra Archer sticks to the slower delivery, but serves this full, on off. Lokesh Bam gets right underneath the ball and tonks it over the long off fence for half a dozen more.

18:15 (IST), Feb, 08

1wd
Overs17.4
Score148 - 5

Jofra Archer to Lokesh Bam, WIDE! Hard length and outside off, slower too but this one just goes over the guideline. Lokesh Bam fails to reach it. Given as a wide.

18:14 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs17.3
Score147 - 5

Jofra Archer to Gulshan Jha, Fuller and around off, Gulshan Jha drills it to sweeper cover for a single.

18:13 (IST), Feb, 08

Timely wicket for England and Wankhede goes silent. Gulshan Jha walks in at number 7.

18:12 (IST), Feb, 08

0
Overs17.2
Score146 - 5

Jofra Archer to Aarif Sheikh, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Jofra Archer goes fuller this time, outside off, pace off again. Aarif Sheikh has to reach out for it, and throws the kitchen sink at it. He only manages to get a thick outside edge behind, where Jos Buttler moves to his right and takes a sharp catch. Nepal are 146/5, still needing 39 runs in 16 balls.

18:11 (IST), Feb, 08

6
Overs17.1
Score146 - 4

Jofra Archer to Aarif Sheikh, SIX! Gets hold of that one! Jofra Archer bowls this on a good length and around off, takes pace off. Aarif Sheikh crouches low and heaves it across the line. He almost goes through the shot early but manages to get enough power to send it over Phil Salt at deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

18:11 (IST), Feb, 08

1wd
Overs17.1
Score140 - 4

Jofra Archer to Aarif Sheikh, WIDE! Tries the off-cutter, but spills this down the leg side. Aarif Sheikh fails to glance it away. Called a wide.

18:10 (IST), Feb, 08

Jofra Archer (3-0-20-0) to bowl his last over now.

18:10 (IST), Feb, 08

0
Overs16.6
Score139 - 4

Sam Curran to Lokesh Bam, Superb finish to the over from Curran! He nails another yorker, on middle, Lokesh Bam only manages to dig it back to the bowler. 46 needed off 18 balls. 

18:09 (IST), Feb, 08

4
Overs16.5
Score139 - 4

Sam Curran to Lokesh Bam, FOUR! That will help too! Sam Curran goes fuller this time, attacks the stumps, on middle and leg. Lokesh Bam tries to whip it away but gets an inside edge that races wide of short fine for another boundary.

18:08 (IST), Feb, 08

4
Overs16.4
Score135 - 4

Sam Curran to Lokesh Bam, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Fuller delivery, outside off, pace off again and this one turns away too. Lokesh Bam looks to slog it across the line but gets a top edge that flies over short third for a boundary.

18:07 (IST), Feb, 08

0
Overs16.3
Score131 - 4

Sam Curran to Lokesh Bam, Clever bowling! Back of a length and just outside off, rolls his fingers to take the pace off, Lokesh Bam makes room and throws his bat at it but misses.

18:07 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs16.2
Score131 - 4

Sam Curran to Aarif Sheikh, Another fine yorker, on middle, Aarif Sheikh digs it towards long on for a run. 54 needed in 22 now.

18:06 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs16.1
Score130 - 4

Sam Curran to Lokesh Bam, Right in the blockhole, on off, Lokesh Bam just about gets his bat down in time to jam it out towards cover-point for a single.

18:05 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs15.6
Score129 - 4

Liam Dawson to Lokesh Bam, Flighted, full and on middle, Lokesh Bam eases it to long on for one. Magnificent over and spell from Dawson, 2/21 in his 4 overs. 

18:04 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs15.5
Score128 - 4

Liam Dawson to Aarif Sheikh, Short and on middle, Aarif Sheikh pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

18:04 (IST), Feb, 08

Lokesh Bam joins Aarif Sheikh out in the middle now.

18:04 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs15.4
Score127 - 4

Liam Dawson to Lokesh Bam, Flatter, full and on leg, Lokesh Bam clips it through square leg for another run.

18:02 (IST), Feb, 08

0
Overs15.3
Score126 - 4

Liam Dawson to Rohit Paudel, OUT! CAUGHT! A superb catch in the deep, and England are starting to regain control of this game. Liam Dawson floats it up, full and on middle, turns away a bit. Rohit Paudel goes down for the slog sweep but hits it from the bottom half of his bat. It flies flat towards deep mid-wicket, where Phil Salt runs to his right, dives and takes a fantastic catch just inches above the ground. There is a check for the catch, but the replay shows that Salt has his fingers underneath the ball. Paudel walks back for 39 off 34, and Nepal are four down now. In the space of eight balls, both set Nepal batters are gone and England have suddenly climbed on top. Momentum flipped, and now it is 59 needed off 27.

18:01 (IST), Feb, 08

1
Overs15.2
Score126 - 3

Liam Dawson to Aarif Sheikh, Drops it short and around off, Aarif Sheikh punches it to sweeper cover fo a single.

18:01 (IST), Feb, 08

0
Overs15.1
Score125 - 3

Liam Dawson to Aarif Sheikh, Tossed up, full and on off, holds up in the surface a bit. Aarif Sheikh looks to push it away but the ball hits the upper part of his bat. It lobs up but does not carry to short extra cover.

274 More Updates

See More Updates
England vs Nepal Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: England held their nerve to edge Nepal by four runs in a gripping T20 World Cup encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, surviving a spirited challenge from the underdogs in a match that swung repeatedly. Key half-centuries from Jacob Bethell and captain Harry Brook helped England post a competitive 184, while Jos Buttler reached a personal milestone by becoming the third-highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history.

England’s innings never fully settled. Phil Salt fell early, and while Buttler and Bethell added quick runs, Nepal kept striking at regular intervals. The turning point came through a vital 71-run stand between Bethell and Brook, which steadied England after early losses. Bethell’s 55 on debut and Brook’s fluent 53 provided the backbone, before Will Jacks’ late unbeaten 39 ensured England finished strongly.

Nepal’s chase began with real intent as Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh raced out of the blocks. England responded through Liam Dawson and Will Jacks to claw back control, but Nepal refused to fade. Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee stitched together a vital partnership that kept the chase alive deep into the innings.

Just when Nepal looked capable of pulling off a famous upset, England struck twice in quick succession through Sam Curran and Dawson. Despite a late assault from Lokesh Bam, Nepal fell agonisingly short on 180 for six.

England’s bowlers delivered under pressure, and Curran’s calm execution in the final over sealed a narrow victory. The contest underlined Nepal’s growing stature on the global stage while allowing England to escape with four crucial points.
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Comments (2)

F
Francis Xavier EeliMost Interacted
107 days ago

Nepal went down fighting, won hearts....Read More

Reply
Reply

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