England overcame a late scare to beat a fighting Nepal side by a narrow 4-run margin in the 5th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This was the second thrilling contest in the tournament.
England innings: Bethell and Brook Power to 184
England got off to a flying start, reaching 57 in the powerplay, despite losing two wickets. They reached 50 in 5.3 overs, with Jacob Bethell leading the charge.
At the first drinks break, England were 57/2, but their innings hit a slight roadblock when Tom Banton was out due to a review failure in the very next over. England recovered well, reaching 100 in 11.2 overs.
Bethell’s innings was exemplary, as he scored a rapid 50 off 28 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes. A fourth-wicket partnership between Bethell and Harry Brook helped England add 50 runs in 36 balls, taking them firmly in control.
By the second drinks break, England was at 128/4, with Brook accelerating the run rate. Brook then went on to score a classy 31-ball half-century, keeping the run rate high in the death overs.
Late hitting by Will Jacks, who scored a brisk 39*, helped England reach a respectable 184/7 in 20 overs at the end of the innings.
**Nepal Innings:** **Brave Fight Falls Just Short**
Nepal, needing 185, started off well, scoring 47 runs in the powerplay while losing two wickets. They reached 50 in just 6.1 overs, showing their intent against the English bowling lineup.
A crucial partnership between Rohit Kumar Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee helped stabilize the innings, scoring 50 runs in 34 balls for the third wicket. Nepal reached 100 in 11.5 overs and were at 123/2 at the drinks break, well on course to reach the target.
The pressure was building on Nepal as they broke past 150 in 17.4 overs, needing just a few runs in the final overs. However, the English bowlers showed their mettle in the death overs, conceding just a few boundaries.
Nepal finished on a brave 180/6 in 20 overs, agonizingly short by just 4 runs in one of the closest matches of the tournament.
Player of the Match
Will Jacks was named Player of the Match for his impactful all-round performance — an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls and economical bowling figures of 1/17, which proved decisive in the narrow win.
Match Summary
England: 184/7 (20 overs)
Nepal: 180/6 (20 overs)
Result: England won by 4 runs
Player of the Match: Will Jacks (39*, 1/17)
Nepal’s fearless batting display earned widespread admiration, while England’s experience in pressure moments once again proved the difference in a gripping World Cup encounter.