England Survive Nepal Scare in Last-Ball T20 World Cup Thriller at Wankhede

England escaped with a heart-stopping four-run victory over Nepal in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, surviving one of the tournament's biggest scares as the Associate nation came agonizingly close to pulling off a historic upset. Sam Curran held his nerve to bowl a pressure-packed final over, conceding just five runs to deny Nepal a fairytale triumph that would have sent shockwaves through world cricket.

Harry Brook's England had posted 184-7 after winning the toss and electing to bat first, with Brook himself smashing 53 off 32 balls and Jacob Bethell contributing a rapid 55 off 35 deliveries. Both batsmen sealed their half-centuries with sixes, while Will Jacks provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 39 off just 18 balls, including three maximums in a 21-run final over that seemed to put England in control.

Nepal's chase began explosively as Kushal Bhurtel set the Wankhede alight, hammering three boundaries in the first four balls he faced from express paceman Jofra Archer. The aggressive start sent a clear message that Nepal had not traveled to Mumbai simply to make up the numbers. A superb 82-run partnership off 54 balls between Dipendra Singh Airee and captain Rohit Paudel kept the required run rate manageable, leaving Nepal needing 62 runs from the final six overs.

The match reached fever pitch in the closing stages as Lokesh Bam launched a stunning assault on England's bowlers. His explosive 20-ball 39 kept Nepal in touching distance, and when they required 13 runs from the final nine deliveries, the unthinkable victory seemed within reach. The tension reached its peak with Nepal needing a six off the final ball to secure one of the greatest upsets in T20 World Cup history, but Bam could only manage a single, sparking relieved celebrations from England's players.

The match also featured notable milestones for Nepal's debutants. Sher Malla made a dream start to his international career by dismissing England opener Phil Salt with his very first delivery in T20 internationals, a moment that will live long in Nepali cricket folklore. Nepal's bowling attack, led by Karan KC who finished with impressive figures of 1-27, kept the pressure on England throughout their innings.

Sam Curran's match-winning final over showcased the all-rounder's big-game temperament, as he executed his yorkers and slower balls to perfection under immense pressure. His composure proved the difference between England starting their campaign with a confidence-boosting victory and suffering an embarrassing defeat that would have raised serious questions about their tournament credentials. For Nepal, despite the agonizing loss, their performance announced them as a team capable of challenging cricket's elite on the world stage.