England vs Nepal ICC MT20 WC, 2026, Full Score Card

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Lokesh Bam joins Aarif Sheikh out in the middle now.

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.

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

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.

Swing and a miss! Bangs this into the pitch, on off, pace on this time. Rohit Paudel gets hurried on his pull shot and misses. Just 2 runs and a wicket from the over. 60 needed from 30 balls now.

Short of a length and just around off, Rohit Paudel tries the reverse ramp but misses due to the lack of pace.

On a length and on off, Aarif Sheikh pushes it towards extra cover for a single.

Play and a miss! Fuller and around off, angling away, Aarif Sheikh looks to push it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

England get the much-needed breakthrough here. Aarif Sheikh comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN! Sam Curran gets the wicket England were desperate for, and the Drinks break bears fruit for them. This is a slower one, full and outside off. Dipendra Singh Airee looks to take it on and go big down the ground, but ends up slicing it as his bat turns in his hands. It flies towards deep extra cover, where Tom Banton takes a good catch under pressure. The stand worth 82 (54) has been broken and England will take a sigh of relief.

A low full toss, on off, Rohit Paudel drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

DRINKS! What a sensational turnaround this has been from Nepal! Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee have completely shifted the momentum with a blistering 81-run stand off just 52 deliveries, putting the pressure right back on the English bowlers. With 62 needed from the final 36 balls, the game is beautifully poised on a knife-edge. England look rattled and will need to find a way to break this partnership immediately. Let's see how it ends.

SIX! 19 runs off this Adil Rashid over! The leggie gives this one some more air, full and around middle. Dipendra Singh Airee changes his stance early and absolutely nails the reverse batted shot. He hits it so well that it sails over the man at deep point for half a dozen of runs.

FOUR! Wow...top shot! Tossed up, full and around off, Dipendra Singh Airee does not try to hit it hard. He just leans on to his drive and creams it through covers for a boundary. Nepal are really taking on Rashid here.

Flighted, full and on middle, Rohit Paudel slog sweeps it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one.

SIX! SMOKED! Adil Rashid bowls the googly. but drops it short, turning into leg. Rohit Paudel picks up the length early, rocks back and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Slightly shorter in length, quicker as well, on off, Dipendra Singh Airee punches it to long off for a run.

Flatter, full and around leg, Rohit Paudel goes down and paddles it to short fine for a single. The running between the wickets between these two has been fantastic.

Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Rohit Paudel slogs it wide of long on, just one more. 3 runs off the over, tidy from Archer!

In the air...safe! Back of a length and on middle, takes off a bit. Dipendra Singh Airee looks to pull but gets a top edge. Jos Buttler, the keeper runs to his left but the ball drops safely in the square leg region. They cross.

Sharp bowling! Jofra Archer bangs in a quick bouncer now, Dipendra Singh Airee sways away and decides late to play the upper cut but fails to connect.

Cannot get it away! Short of a length and down the leg side, begging to be put away. Rohit Paudel hooks it but fails to beat fine leg. A single taken.

Goes fuller and just outside off, Rohit Paudel opens up his stance to go over covers but misses.

Uppish but safe! Change in pace first up. Good length and on off, at 110 clicks, Rohit Paudel goes through his push early and lobs it in the air but it lands well in front of extra cover.

Hard length and outside off, takes pace off, Rohit Paudel makes room and stabs it out towards backward point. He sets off for the run and scampers across to the other end, with the fielder missing his shy at the bowling end. Nepal need 84 runs in 48 balls.

Back of a length and on off, Dipendra Singh Airee dabs it towards backward point for one. 100 UP FOR NEPAL!

Hits the length hard, on leg, Rohit Paudel backs away and forces it down to long on for another run.

Pitched up and around off, Dipendra Singh Airee drives it to sweeper cover for a run.

Full but on the pads, Rohit Paudel glances it towards fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Gets it away! A loopy off-cutter, full and around middle. Rohit Paudel backs away very early. He has to wait for it but manages to get it through extra covers for a boundary.

WIDE! Starts with a fuller one but down the leg side, Rohit Paudel misses his flick. Called a wide. The fifty stand comes up!

Sam Curran has been introduced into the attack. His off-pace deliveries will come in handy on this wicket.

Flatter, short and on off, Dipendra Singh Airee punches it wide of the bowler. Liam Dawson moves to his right quickly, dives and stops it with his right hand.

Quicker one, full and on the pads, Rohit Paudel tucks it towards short fine for one.

Swing and a miss! Slower through the air, full and around off, grips and turns away sharply. Rohit Paudel goes down for the slog sweep but fails to connect.

Flatter, full and on leg, Dipendra Singh Airee clips it away to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! That is a superb shot! Tossed up, full and outside off. Dipendra Singh Airee whips his hands through the shot, reaches out and carves it over extra cover for a boundary.

Floated, full and on middle, Dipendra Singh Airee drills it down the pitch. Liam Dawson dives to his left on the follow-through to make the stop.

FOUR! Through the gap and Nepal are starting to believe! Flatter, just outside off, Rohit Paudel gets down on one knee and chips it in the gap through extra cover as the ball races away to the fence. 100 needed off 60 balls.

Quicker, on middle, Dipendra Singh Airee turns it to square leg for a run.

FOUR! Some innovation from Dipendra Singh Airee! Flatter, on off, Dipendra Singh Airee changes his stance and reverse sweeps it over backward point for a boundary.

Adil Rashid keeps it full, on off, Dipendra Singh Airee pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Quicker, on middle and leg, Rohit Paudel makes room and fends it to wide mid on for a single.

Short, outside off, Rohit Paudel cuts it to the fielder at cover-point.

Much fuller, on off, Dipendra Singh Airee pushes it to the fielder at extra cover.

Flatter, on off, and it bounces a bit extra. Dipendra Singh Airee is caught by surprise as he looks to block it. The ball hits the upper part of his bat. It lobs and lands safely in the vacant silly point region. Dot.

Fired in, on middle, Rohit Paudel knocks it to mid off for a single.

Quicker and shorter, on middle, Dipendra Singh Airee punches it to wide of extra cover for a single.

Flatter, on middle, Rohit Paudel stays back and flicks it to square leg for a single.

Good running between the wickets! Nepal batters are putting some pressure on the English team. Full, on middle, Rohit Paudel flicks it to mid-wicket for a brace. The partnership moves to 30 off 17 balls.

Liam Dawson replaces Adil Rashid.

FOUR! Excellent way to finish the over! Flatter, full and on leg, Dipendra Singh Airee gets low and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary. They are growing in confidence here.

Beaten! Short and wide, with a hint of turn. Dipendra Singh Airee tries to cut it but gets beaten.

Much fuller this time, on middle, Rohit Paudel sweeps it through mid-wicket for a single. Good comeback from Will Jacks after conceding a boundary on the first ball.

Flatter, just outside off, Dipendra Singh Airee drives it through cover for a single.

Short ball, on off, Dipendra Singh Airee stays back and blocks it to the left of the bowler.

FOUR! Dipendra Singh Airee joins the party now! Will Jacks errs in his line down the leg side, Dipendra Singh Airee picks it well and helps it through fine leg for a boundary.

SIX! That was much-needed! A half-tracker from Adil Rashid, on middle and leg. Rohit Paudel gets down on one knee and clatters it over deep mid-wicket as the ball sails into the stands.

Fired in, on middle, Dipendra Singh Airee hops a bit and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter, on middle and leg, Rohit Paudel gets low and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a run.

Short again, on off, Rohit Paudel punches it to the fielder at cover.

Short, on off, Dipendra Singh Airee pushes it to wide of mid off for a quick single.

FOUR! Width on offer and Dipendra Singh Airee doesn't miss out. Flatter, outside off, Dipendra Singh Airee reaches out to it and cuts it through backward point for a boundary.

Flatter, on middle and leg, Dipendra Singh Airee gets down on one knee and slogs it through backward square leg for a run.

Nice and full, on leg, Rohit Paudel stays back and clips it through square leg for a single.

Quicker, on middle and leg, Dipendra Singh Airee pulls it through square leg for one.

Flatter, on middle and leg, Dipendra Singh Airee works it through square leg for a brace. He gets off the mark.

Drinks! Nepal have lost both of their openers, Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel. The pressure is on, and they'll be leaning heavily on Rohit Paudel to anchor the innings and find some rhythm in the middle. While the required run rate isn't an issue just yet, England's bowlers are smelling blood and they’ll be desperate to keep the squeeze on and break this partnership before it can flourish. Dipendra Singh Airee gets a promotion and walks in to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! That's a soft dismissal. After a fine start, Nepal lose two in a hurry. Will Jacks bowls a slower one, short and on off. Kushal Bhurtel goes deep in his crease and looks to work it away but the ball hits the leading part of his bat. It lobs back to the right of Will Jacks, who takes a simple catch. Nepal are 42/2, needing 143 runs in 88 balls.

Short ball, on off, Rohit Paudel stays back and knocks it down to long on for a run.

Wide! Will Jacks starts with a wide. Short, down the leg side, Rohit Paudel leaves it alone.

Yorker, on middle, Rohit Paudel squeezes a flick shot to the short mid-wicket fielder, but he fumbles and the batter takes a single.

Full toss, on middle, Rohit Paudel nudges it but straight to the short mid-wicket fielder.

On a length, on off, Rohit Paudel drives it to cover.

WIDE! Rohit Paudel looks to flick this fuller delivery, going down the leg side but misses.

Fuller, just outside off, Rohit Paudel bunts it to cover.

On a hard length, on off, Kushal Bhurtel guides it to the right of short third and gets a single.

Full, on off, Kushal Bhurtel blocks it to mid off.

Full, on middle, Rohit Paudel defends it to his front.

One wicket down and it's Rohit Paudel who walks up to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Liam Dawson is fired up. Fuller around leg, Aasif Sheikh once again goes for the sweep but only manages the top edge. The ball lobs gently to the right of Luke Wood at short fine leg, who shuffles across and pouches a dolly. Nepal lose their first wicket at 37, will this breakthrough finally put the brakes on the run flow?

Full, on leg, Aasif Sheikh flicks it to short fine leg.

Full, on off, Kushal Bhurtel nudges it to square leg for another single.

Fuller, on middle, Aasif Sheikh works it to mid-wicket for one.

TWO WIDES! Fuller, darting down the leg side. Kushal Bhurtel misses the flick and Buttler fumbles to glove it. Ends up parring it to short fine leg and the batter gets the single.

In the air... and safe! Fuller, around leg, Kushal Bhurtel attempts to sweep it but gets the top edge. The ball loops over short fine leg and drops safely. Brace taken.

England will make their first change and it's Liam Dawson to offer some turn on the track.

On a length, on middle, Aasif Sheikh dabs back to the bowler. 15 from the over, 29 from last two.

FOUR! Just the flick of the wrist! Aasif Sheikh is not holding back after watching his partner smoking the deliveries. On a good length, on middle, angling away. Aasif Sheikh flicks it up and over mid-wicket and gets four runs.

Fuller, shaping away from the off stump, Kushal Bhurtel looks to push it to cover, but gets the outside edge onto deep third for a single.

SIX! Kushal Bhurtel, you beauty! Short of a length, on middle. Bhurtel stands tall and pulls it up and over the deep square leg fence for a big six. The crowd is loving it, the fans of Nepal are dancing. This is exceptional striking from Bhurtel, playing fearless cricket.

Short, outside off, angling away, Kushal Bhurtel attempts to cut it but misses.

FOUR! That's easy pickings for Kushal Bhurtel! On a good length, around the thigh pad. Kushal Bhurtel tickles it away through short fine leg for four runs.

On a length, outside off, Kushal Bhurtel guides it to deep third for a single. 14 runs off this over!

FOUR! Excellent shot! This is a very positive start from Kushal Bhurtel as well as Nepal. On a length, on off, Kushal Bhurtel stays on the leg side of the delivery and drills it toward the right of the extra cover fielder for four more runs.

Beaten! Back of a length, just outside off, zips through the surface. Kushal Bhurtel looks to cut it but gets beaten due to the extra pace on the ball. Much better from Archer.

FOUR! This is excellent batting from Bhurtel! Fuller again, on off pole. Kushal Bhurtel drives it through the gap between cover and point to get back-to-back boundaries.

FOUR! Up and over! Fuller, just outside off by Jofra Archer. Kushal Bhurtel prods and drives it over the point region. That's the first boundary of the chase.

Overpitched, around the pads, Aasif Sheikh clips it to deep fine leg to rotate the strike.

Who will share the new ball? Jofra Archer it is!

Fuller, on middle, Aasif Sheikh tucks it to deep square leg and gets a single. Two runs to start off the second inning!

Fuller, just outside leg, Aasif Sheikh misses his flick and it thumps on his pad, onto short cover.

On a hard length, angling away, with a hint of inswinger. Aasif Sheikh pats it to the right of short cover.

Low full toss, on middle. Kushal Bhurtel rolls his wrists and flicks it through square leg for a single. Bhurtel is off the mark!

Back of a length again, on middle, Kushal Bhurtel nudges it to mid-wicket.

Beaten straight away! Wood pitches it back of a length, shaping it away. Kushal Bhurtel hangs back to punch it through cover, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

SIX! And this is why Jacks needed to play the entire over! Full and wide outside off, Will Jacks leans into the shot and lofts it beautifully over cover to end the innings in style! 21 in the final over and ENGLAND END ON 184/7!

One ball left. Liam Dawson is in at number 9, replacing Jofra Archer but it will be Jacks on strike.

OUT! JOFRA ARCHER IS RUN OUT. Sacrificial lamb. Which makes the previous single even more dumbfounding. On a length, outside off, Archer swings for the ocean but misses. The keeper collects and the batters go for the bye. The keeper lobs the ball to the bowler who runs back and calmly takes the bails off with Archer nowhere in the frame. Archer departs for 1 (3) and England are 178/7 after 19.5 overs.

Surprising. The single is taken. One would have thought Jacks would play the entire over. Another slower ball, short in length outside off, Will goes for the pull but is still early into his shot. Shakes his head in frustration and jogs across to the other end for a single as the ball goes to deep mid-wicket. But why did he run?

SIX MORE! This is even better than the previous one! Low full toss, outside off, Jacks goes low and just scoops it over backward point for consecutive sixes! Jacks moves to 32 (16).

SIX! POUNDED! 170 is touched. 4 balls left. Short, outside off, pace off, Will Jacks waits for the ball and slaps it over extra cover for half a dozen!

Around off, heaved through mid-wicket. The batters take a couple and the throw comes in at the striker's end. It is a direct hit and the batters think about the overthrow but don't take it.

Final over coming up. Karan KC to bowl. 2-0-14-0 so far.

Short, outside off, slapped through the covers for a single. A wicket and 12 runs from the over, 24 in the last 2!

FOUR! Jacks finds the fence. Not where he intended though. Short and wide outside off, Will throws his bat at it and the ball runs off the toe end, to the right of the keeper, into the deep third fence!

Very full, on middle, Archer drills it to long on for a single.

RUN OUT CHANCE! Bowler decides not to throw. On a length, outside off, Jofra Archer looks to punch it through the off side but gets a bottom edge. The non-striker sets off for the single and is halfway down but the bowler quickly gets to the ball. Turns around and thinks about the shy but holds himself.

10 balls left. And my, Jofra Archer has come out at number 8, replacing his skipper, Harry Brook!

OUT! CAUGHT! Nepal might have been erratic with their bowling but in terms of communication, their skills have been excellent on the field. Slower ball, on a length, outside off, Brook tries to heave it through the off side, ummm... almost like his dismissal to Mitchell Starc in the 2023 Ashes but on this occasion, his head was more still. Gets a leading edge which goes towards cover. Sweeper comes running in, with the sun into his eyes while cover runs back. They are on the path of collision but Sher Malla from sweeper calls for it and the debutant takes the catch pretty nicely, with the setting sun into his eyes. End of a fine knock of 53 (32) from Harry Brook and from 128/3, England are now 157/6!

SIX! 50 UP IN 31 BALLS! What a way to announce yourself as a World Cup captain. A short ball, outside off, Harry Brook picks the length in a trice, stays back and slaps the short-arm jab over mid-wicket!

Nandan Yadav returns. 2-0-13-1 so far.

Short and outside off, Jacks punches it through the covers for another couple. 150 UP FOR ENGLAND! 2 overs left. Is 180 on?

Outside off, punched through the covers. Good fielding by long off to dive and cut it off. Saves two.

SIX! A BOUNDARY AFTER 20 BALLS! Not cleanly hit though. Tossed up, around off, Will Jacks comes down the track and looks to go downtown. He does connect well but seems to have got more height than distance. Rohit Paudel settles himself for the catch at long on but the ball sails over!

The googly, around off, spinning in, 86.4 kph, Harry Brook opens the face of his bat and guides it through point for a run.

Long hop, outside off, Jacks rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kushal Bhurtel is back on. Starts off with a leggie, short in length outside off, Will Jacks looks to cut but gets a bottom edge back to the bowler.

Full and around off, Harry leans and pushes it towards cover. A sensational 17th over from Lamichhane, going for just a solitary run! 4-0-25-1 for Lamichhane in this match.

Landed outside off, 85.9 kph, spinning away, Harry Brook pushes it towards point. Maybe trying to see off Nepal's best.

Misfield stops the run of dots. Full, outside off, WJ brings out the reverse but hits it straight to short third. However, the fielder fumbles and the batters take the single.

Outside of, short of full, Will goes back and guides it towards short third. Brook wants the single but is sent back.

Beaten again! Quicker through the air, outside off, Jacks lunges to push but the ball pitches and then spins a mile past the outside edge! Get a slip in, mate!

Can Nepal build on this mini opening?

Sandeep Lamichhane will bowl out now. Tossed up, outside off, Will Jacks lunges to drive but is beaten. Bit of away spin there.

Full and outside off, little bit of away drift, Harry Brook drives it towards cover. A wicket and 4 runs from the over. Couple of excellent overs for Nepal.

Around off, worked through mid on for a single.

Full and around off, Will Jacks lunges to defend.

Half the side down, but the batters keep coming. Will Jacks comes in at number 7, replacing Sam Curran.

OUT! BOWLED! Curran has dragged one on. He never looked settled at the crease and this might actually be a blessing in disguise for the Brits. Landed outside off, Sam Curran goes back to punch it through the off side but yet another one stops on the pitch a touch. The shot is played early. As a result, the bottom edge is induced and the stumps are shattered. Curran comes and goes for 2 (8) and from 128/3, England are now 137/5! 27 balls left in the innings.

Very full, outside off, Brook goes for the big swing but overhits it. The bat turns in his hands and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards long on. A single taken.

WIDE. Well down the leg side, Harry Brook misses his flick.

Full, on middle, 84.6 kph, Sam Curran clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Another wrong 'un to finish, around leg and middle, SC works it through mid on for a single. What a lovely over from Bhurtel.

Hattrick of dots! Short and outside off again, another googly, Sam finds point with his cut now!

Another one holds on the deck. Hmmm... Adil Rashid is smiling already. Outside off, another wrong 'un, Curran looks to cut but is through his shot early. Gets a bottom edge back to the bowler.

Short, outside off, the googly, Sam Curran cuts it hard but straight to cover.

On middle, punched down to long on for a single.

MISFIELD, FOUR! Kushal Bhurtel is back into the attack and greeted in style. Tossed up, wide outside off, Harry Brook leans and drives it beautifully through the covers. Long off does get across to his left, dives the wrong way, with his back to the ball, and only succeeds in accelerating its passage towards the ropes.

Quicker and shorter, outside off, Curran goes back to cut but the ball scurries off the bottom half of the bat towards point. A wicket and 8 runs from the over, Dipendra Singh Airee's bowling figures read 2-0-19-1 so far.

Full and around middle, Sam Curran lunges to defend it back to the bowler.

DRINKS BREAK. Boy, did Nepal need that wicket. Brook and Bethell were just toying with the bowling and this breakthrough could not have come at a better time. But the train barely stops for England. The hitters just keep coming. Sam Curran is in next, at number 6, replacing Jacob Bethell. 'Normal cricket' will take England to 200 from here. Can Nepal prevent anything outlandish?

OUT! CAUGHT! At last, Nepal break the 71-run stand. Floated, outside off, Bethell looks to go downtown. But probably, this is the first occasion where we can say, the ball actually stopped on the surface. Bethell was through his shot early and while he was aiming straight, because the shot got played early, the stroke got miscued towards long on. Easy catch for Lokesh Bam at the ropes. Bethell walks off shaking his head, but his 55 (35) has put England in a good position at 128/4 after 13.4 overs!

Outside off, drilled past the bowler down to long off for a run.

SIX! Just like that, from 23 (19), Brook has moved to 39 (22)! A touch short, around off, Brook rocks back and pulls it magnificently over deep mid-wicket!

Comes down the track and whips it to long on for a single.

Dipendra Singh Airee returns. 1-0-11-0 so far.

SIX! PLUNDERED! Now, we are talking. Brook is getting into his elements now - 33 (21). Landed around middle, Brook rocks back a touch and heaves it over long on, making it 14 from the over and 28 in the last 2!

FOUR! INTO OUT! Not perfectly timed, but will find the boundary. Tossed up, outside off, Harry Brook comes forward and lofts this over cover from the bottom of his bat. The ball is miscued but once it makes contact with the turf, skims through to the ropes, beating sweeper to his right.

Full, around middle, another wrong 'un, Bethell chips it down to long on for a run.

The googly, around middle, Jacob Bethell goes for the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. The keeper starts to appeal for the LBW but then quietens down. Going down leg, probably.

Full, around off, Brook leans and works it through mid on for a single.

Sandeep Lamichhane comes back onto bowl. And Brook is straightaway after him. Jumps down the track and swings hard, but is not to the pitch of the ball. Still, goes through with the shot, miscuing it through mid-wicket for a couple. 50-RUN STAND IS UP, IN 36 BALLS!

Down the leg side, JB gets the broom out this time. But that area is covered too. Short fine leg stops it. 14 from the over!

A touch short now, outside off, Jacob goes back and cuts, but finds point this time.

Landed outside off, punched towards cover.

SIX MORE! Full and down the leg side, Bethell gets down on a knee and sweeps it powerfully over backward square leg! 50 IN 28 BALLS for Bethell, what a way to begin your World Cup campaign.

SIX! POWERFUL! Dropped short, around off, the googly, Jacob Bethell goes back, drags the ball and pulls it flat over long on, beating the fielder to his right! 100 UP FOR ENGLAND!

WIDE. Miles outside off, left alone.

On middle and off, Harry Brook pushes it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Lovely shot. Landed outside off, just a tad short of full, Jacob Bethell goes back, opens the face of his bat and guides it between short third and backward point, for his 4th four. Moves to 41 (26).

Down the leg side, 83.3 kph, pretty full, Harry Brook leans and clips it behind square leg for another single.

Shortish again, outside off, 95.5 kph, Jacob Bethell cuts it behind point for one.

On middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for a run.

Short again, this time Bethell cuts it past point for a single.

Short, outside off, cut straight to point.

Halfway mark. 84. Not as per England's standards, aye? But the good thing is that they have not gone for all broke and have tried to respect the pitch and the bowling. Sher Malla is back on. 2-0-27-1 so far.

Dragged length on the pads, Bethell uses the depth of the crease to flick it around the corner on the leg side for a single. England are 84/3 after 10 overs!

Fractionally short around off, JB rocks back to slap it away but the fielder at cover makes a sharp stop.

Flighted delivery around leg, worked away wide of square leg for a single.

Flatter delivery on middle, straightens a touch, Brook rocks back and pushes it back to the bowler. Bhurtel makes a half stop and deflects it behind but scampers after it and keeps it down to a dot ball.

Bhurtel drags the length back and bowls it straighter. Brook rocks back and works it away through mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs.

FOUR! That's beautifully done by Brook. Tossed up, on a length and outside off, HB lunges across and just glides the ball away between backward point and short third for a boundary.

Kushal Bhurtel given the ball now. A leggie. Bowler number 6.

Shortish, around middle, the skipper pulls it towards deep backward square leg for one.

Good work again. Outside off, Harry tries to work it through mid on but the bowler himself gets across to his right to slide and stop the ball.

NEARLY BOWLED! How did that miss the stumps? A genuine leg spinner, tossed up, outside off. HB goes down to sweep but misses it totally. Luckily for him, the ball spins past the off stump!

A quick, fast, wrong 'un. At 92 kph, slightly short of full, around off, Brook goes back to defend.

A googly now, shortish again, 86.1 kph, Jacob Bethell goes back and wrists it through mid-wicket for a run.

Landed around off, a touch short, spinning away, Harry Brook goes back and nudges it through mid on for a single.

Hammered in on a shortish length on leg, Bethell fails to flick it away. The ball goes off the hips and rolls down to short fine leg.

WIDE! Back of a length and outside off, darts further away. Bethell has half a waft at it and misses.

Oh, that could have been disastrous for England. Slower and shorter over middle and leg, Bethell reaches up and controls the pull down through square leg. The batters complete the first run with ease and set off for the second but hesitate a bit before eventually going for it. The throw comes in at the keeper's end but it is well wide. A better throw and Bethell would have been in trouble.

Two is the early call from Jacob Bethell and two is what they get, excellent running. Back of a length and over middle, Bethell presses on his toes and nudges it down gently through the big gap at mid-wicket, racing back for the second run.

WIDE! Back of a length and angled down leg, Bethell looks to swivel and pull but misses. Wide called.

Shorter in length again, outside off, Brook backs away a bit and taps it down in front of point for another single.

Banged in short and well outside off, Bethell stands tall and slaps it away through the point region. There is protetction in the deep, just the single.

Short of a good length, on middle and leg, Brook tucks it down to deep backward square leg for one.

Nandan Yadav returns. 1-0-4-1 so far.

Outside off, pushed towards backward point. A wicket and 7 runs to kickstart Sandeep Lamichhane's World Cup.

Around off, Harry tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! JUST PAST! Wow. Nearly the second wicket in the over. A quicker ball, outside off, pretty full, Harry Brook went for the reverse sweep. He did not quite connect it cleanly and the ball went slightly off the edge of the bat. But it flew. There was first slip stationed. But the ball was an express train. Before the fielder could even react, the ball was past. He did dive to his left but that was more of a belated reaction. The ball was already racing towards the deep third fence.

Another googly, shortish in length around off, Jacob Bethell works it towards wide long on for a run.

Nerves straightaway. Full, around off, Harry Brook leans and works it through mid-wicket. Should have been just a single but Brook wants the suicidal second. Is sent back just in time.

And then they were three. And we have just started the post-Powerplay phase! Captain Harry Brook walks in next, at number 5, replacing Tom Banton.

OUT! LBW! If the debutant can strike on the first ball, how can the senior pro be far behind? But hang on, Banton has taken the review. Tossed up, around off, Tom Banton got down to play the reverse but missed and was hit on the pads. Lamichhane went up in an appeal for LBW and the umpire agreed almost instantaneously, given how straight it was. Banton walked across to his partner Bethell and after a bit of discussion signalled for the review. Height seemed to be the only factor involved but Ball Tracking projected the googly to hit the leg stump! England lose a review and Banton for 2 (5) and from 43/1, England are now 57/3!

DRINKS BREAK. Action-packed half an hour so far. One would have expected England to hammer 10 boundaries - which consist of 8 fours and 2 biggies - but Nepal have also fairly contributed their share in that action, by getting rid of both the openers. There hasn't been any danger sign yet, as in, ball stopping or holding as yet, but there is extra bounce available, should the bowler bend his back. Sandeep Lamichhane gets the ball in his hand now.

DROPPED! Nepal nearly end the Powerplay with 3 wickets, but Sher Malla is unable to cling onto a very difficult return catch. This is floated up around off, Tom Banton advances and converts it into a full toss, flat-batting it to the left of the bowler. Malla extends that left arm in the followthrough but the ball hits his wrist and deflects behind. Single taken.

Flatter and on middle, tucked away through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Classy shot. Pushed through a bit fuller and around off, slides on. Bethell plays the drive a bit late and right under the eyes, stroking it through cover-point for a boundary.

SIX! Jacob Bethell is taking Sher Malla to the cleaners in this game. On the shorter side and around off, Bethell rocks back and pummels the pull deep over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Full again, angled into the stumps, Banton looks to play the lofted shot but ends up miscuing it through the vacant mid-wicket region for a single.

The in-drifter, full and angled into off and middle. Banton blocks it off.

Final over of the Powerplay coming up. Sher Malla finally gets his second over. 1-0-14-1 so far.

A good delivery to close out the over. Back of a length and on leg, tucks the batter up for room. Jacob Bethell looks to pull but misses and wears it on the thigh pad.

Full and straight, Jacob Bethell defends.

Nandan hammers the hard length and darts it into the pads. Tom Banton misses the flick and gets it off the thigh pad. The ball rolls behind square leg and England get a leg bye.

Nepal are fighting fire with fire. 8 boundaries conceded in 27 balls, but 2 wickets snared as well. Tom Banton walks in next, at number 4, replacing Jos Buttler.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! And both openers are back in the pavillion inside the 5th over! Nandan bends his back, landing it outside off and getting it to move away. Buttler pushes at it but the delivery was bowled seam up and generated extra bit of movement and bounce. Only manages a thick outside edge to the keeper behind and Aasif Sheikh makes no mistake. Buttler departs after a fiery 26 (17) and England are 43/2 after 4.3 overs!

FOUR! Too much width on offer and Jos Buttler isn't going to miss out on that. Shortish length, well outside off, Buttler waits back before tapping it down perfectly between point and backward point for a boundary.

On a length, around off, Jos Buttler pushes it towards cover.

Karan KC has already bowled 2 overs. Should be a bowling change from this end. Change of ends for Malla, perhaps? It is a change for sure, but not Malla. Here comes Nandan Yadav.

Nagging length, not completely full and on middle. Bethell opts to go back in his crease and blocks it off.

Around middle and leg, Jos works it through mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Another boundary from the bat of Jos Buttler. Overpitched delivery on off, Buttler hangs deep in the crease and hammers it flat over wide mid off for four more runs.

FOUR! Just a small mistake in length but even that is not pardoned. Fractionally short and wide outside off, it is enough for Buttler who goes back and punches it between cover and point for a boundary.

Flat and full, darted into the leg stump. Jacob Bethell drives it down to long off and picks up another single.

Full and straight, around middle, Jos Buttler eases this through mid on for a single.

Another one for Malla? Not right now. Dipendra Singh Airee gets the ball in his hand. Another offie.

Slower delivery, an off-cutter on middle, Buttler wrists it wide of mid on and picks up a quick single.

Excellent effort in the deep. Kushal Bhurtel is the fielder. On a length, around off, Jos came down the track and heaved it through mid-wicket. The ball went off the inner half of the bat, but still got racing through. However, Bhurtel gave it a good chase to his left from the deep, got to the ball, dove and pushed it back towards mid on who was running after the ball. Two runs taken, two saved.

FOUR! Belted away by Buttler. Banged in short around off, not enough pace on the ball to trouble the batter. Buttler rocks back and hoicks it flat towards cow corner for a boundary. That almost went all the way.

On a length, around off, angling away after pitching, Buttler pushes it towards point.

Hard length, slanted back into the batter, Bethell pats it down through mid on and turns the strike over.

On a length, around off, coming in slightly, Jos Buttler whips it behind square leg for a single.

Pressure off? Or on? Look at one wicket in 2 overs and one would say, pressure on England. But look at 14 runs coming in the first over of spin and another would say - bring on more spin! It's pace continuing from this end for now.

Better length from Malla. Very full, drifted into the pads. Bethell gets his hands out in front and pushes it to mid on. 14 runs and a wicket off Malla's first over in T20Is.

FOUR! Again too, short. 14 runs in the last three balls. Down the leg side, Bethell swivels and pulls it past short fine leg, to his right and finds the fence.

SIX! That has been walloped into the stands. Shorter in length again, around off, Jacob Bethell picks the length early, rocks back and pulls it in front of mid-wicket for the first biggie of the game.

FOUR! Just a touch short and punished. Outside off, bit of width as well. Jacob Bethell punches it through the gap between cover and point and finds the fence.

Malla comes around the wicket to the left-hander. Serves it full on middle, Bethell lunges inside the line and clips it to short mid-wicket.

300 or no 300, Nepal will take Phil's early dismissal without any trace of salt. Jacob Bethell walks in next, at number 3, replacing Phil Salt.

OUT! CAUGHT! What a start to his T20I career! Boy o boy, if dreams do ever come true, this is one of those instances. First ball in T20I cricket, and that too, in a World Cup clash. Flighted, around off, coming in with the angle, Phil Salt looks to take the offie on and goes for the big slog across the line. But the extra bounce does him in and he only manages a top edge. The ball goes straight up in the air, but only as far as short fine leg. Sandeep Lamichhane makes no mistake over there and the entire Nepal team starts to celebrate. In fact, the bowler himself starts to leap in the air in celebration but when he lands, he loses balance and trips over! Thankfully, he has not hurt himself. Salt departs for 1 (2) and England are 5/1 after 1.1 overs!

Any chance of spin from the other end? By all means. It will be the debutant Sher Malla, to bowl his off spin.

Good-length delivery, in and around off, Buttler gets a good stride across and blocks it off. Five runs off the first over!

On a length, around off, Buttler pushes it towards cover.

That's a peach of a delivery from Karan. Bowled with a wobbled seam, a touch fuller and on off. This one angles in and then straightens off the deck. Jos Buttler leans on to block but the ball agonizingly goes past the outside edge.

FOUR! There comes the first boundary of the game. Full, outside off, Jos Buttler looks to go over the top but is nowhere near the pitch of the ball. In fact, he plays early and the ball comes late. Goes off the toe end of the bat but still has enough to go wide of mid off, to his right, into the fence behind.

Very full again, in the blockhole this time around off and middle, Buttler jams it out to extra cover.

Low full toss, outside off, Phil Salt drives it towards mid on for a quick single.

The national anthems have been played / sung and we are minutes away from the action to start. Just a reminder once again, that is the second game of today's triple header. New Zealand defeated Afghanistan in Chennai and after this Wankhede clash, the co-hosts Sri Lanka will play their opening fixture of this edition, against Ireland, weather permitting. Out walk the umpires once again to the middle. The Nepal team spreads itself out to the middle. Out walk the English openers - Phil Salt and Jos Buttler. It will be the pace of Karan KC to start things off. Salt to face. Here we go!

The umpires and the match referee make their way out to the middle. The two teams are in readiness to follow them, for their national anthems. It will be the Nepalese anthem to be played first, followed by England's.

'I'm not sure whether England can get to 300', quirps former Indian stumper Parthiv Patel on air. Goodness gracious, he is nearly drooling while mentioning about the names in that English batting lineup. What is it that they cannot achieve? In September 2025, they became just the second Test-playing nation and the first in the top 8 to cross the 300-mark in T20Is, with South Africa bearing the brunt of their willows of mass destruction at Old Trafford. Make no mistake, be it Australia or Nepal, this Harry Brook-led side has only one aim - Bazball, baseball, Brookball - call the technique what you want - but blast the opposition out of your way. And Wankhede is not the biggest of grounds, so the Nepalese bowlers will have their work cut out. Their only hope is with this being an afternoon game and the pitch being used for the second time in two days, there could be a bit of sluggishness to the deck.

Hmmm... all games at the same venue? Nice, if you are a Nepal fan. Remember, India played all their games at the same venue during the 2025 Champions Trophy. Result? We all know. Nepal play England today and then Italy, West Indies and Scotland. And they are the only team from Group C to be given this facility. Who knows - with due respect to Scotland and Italy - if Nepal manage to beat either of England or West Indies (or say, both) - this could also become a group of death, aye?

The skipper of Nepal, ROHIT PAUDEL, says that he would have bowled first any which ways. Explains that looking at the conditions, he feels that chasing is a better option. On the possibility of the track slowing down since it being a used wicket, Paudel agrees, stating that mostly his side loves slow tracks and because this is a used wicket, it will spin a little bit and if that happens, it will help his team. On being asked about who are the four players that Nepal have left out for this clash, Rohit smiles and struggles for a bit to remember the names. He starts by saying Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami and Lalit Rajbanshi, but struggles to remember the fourth name. On playing all their league games at the Wankhede, RP feels that playing all the games here will always give an advantage to his side. Adds that as a team, to play in Asian conditions will help Nepal.

HARRY BROOK, the captain of England, says that they will bat first as he feels that the pitch will be in the best shape in the first innings. Hopes that they can put on a good score and defend it. Adds that there was spin and bounce in the second innings last match. Feels that those matches in Sri Lanka have boosted their confidence but you cannot take any side for granted in the T20 World Cup.

Nepal (Playing XI) - Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(WK), Rohit Paudel(C), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Sher Malla, Nandan Yadav and Sandeep Lamichhane.

England (Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Jos Buttler(WK), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook(C), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Luke Wood.

TOSS - We are all set for the flip of the coin. The two captains are out in the middle - Harry Brook and Rohit Paudel. Brook flips the coin and Paudel will call. Harry Brook has won the call and ENGLAND HAVE ELECTED TO BAT FIRST.

NZ extract revenge - 7th June, 2024 - On this day, in Providence, Afghanistan created history, beating New Zealand for the first time in international cricket. It was the Kiwis' opening fixture of the 2024 T20 World Cup and little did anyone expect that loss to eventually knock them out in the league stage itself. 2026 provided a similar scenario where Group D can actually be the group of death, with Afghanistan, New Zealand and South Africa battling it out. This time New Zealand came out triumphant, chasing down a mammoth total of 183. After being reduced to 14/2, Tim Seifert came out and played a blistering knock of 65, setting the tone for his side's victory.

Controversial kids - Again? Ummm... with a different flavour this time. We mentioned about Brook but there is one more in the opposition camp - Sandeep Lamichhane. The leggie has just been surrounded by controversies, leading to even bans but somehow, he finds himself in the national squad for nearly every ICC event. Like Brook, Lamichhane too, would be eager to set a mark, this time with his bowling. And mind you, he has got a truckload of experience as compared to most of his opponents today.

Learnings from the 2024 edition - That's what Nepal would be believing. They gave South Africa the jitters in Kingstown during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they fell short of chasing down 116 by a solitary run. While there would have been talks about the batters' inability to chase down a modest target, they would rather look at the positives feeling great about restricting the Proteas to 115 in the first place. Make no mistake, they stunned the West Indies not too long ago in the Middle East, so would be brimming with confidence. It is all about taking it to the next level.

Cricket's controversy kid, Harry Brook - One just can't help but associate the term controversy with England's captain, Harry Brook. And the controversy basically stems from off the field. Be it in New Zealand, then following up in Australia, it appears as if Brook seems to come in the headlines for reasons not related to cricket. However, he looks to be a man of steel, not letting those issues affect his performance and getting good backing from the ECB as well. Here he is, leading his side for the first time in an ICC global event and a chance to leave a mark, pretty much like how Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler did before him.

Slippery peel or not? Definitely not, as per the ICC rankings. England are ranked third while Nepal are down at 16th. So it doesn't appear likely that Nepal could prove to be a slippery peel for the 2022 T20 World champions. But just a couple of flashbacks - 2009, Netherlands, that too, in England and 2011, Bangladesh, in India. It was Bangladesh again in 2015 as well. And suddenly, one might feel - oh okay, just gotta be careful here, England. In the shortest format of international cricket, one small lapse is possibly enough to spell downfall. And England will do well to remember not just that, but a couple of other factors.

... MATCH DAY ...

Super Sunday dose - The weekend is here with another dopamine booster of triple treat. City of Dreams will buzz again as the historic Wankhede Stadium prepares for another exciting Group C clash. Match 5 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 sees England commence their campaign for glory against the spirited underdogs in Nepal. In a historic sense, these two teams will face each other for the first ever time in this format. Remember, the top two teams of each group will advance to the Super 8 phase of the tournament. So beginning on a positive note will surely set the tone. England chase glory through turbulence - Life after the 2022 title triumph has not been smooth sailing for England. Turbulence has followed them across formats. Early exits in the 2023 ODI World Cup, a similar disappointment in the 2025 Champions Trophy, and a bruising Ashes defeat have tested the depth of this side. But adversity has hardened them. Over the last year, England have quietly rebuilt momentum, winning 10 of their 11 completed matches. Victories over big opponents underline that resurgence. The most emphatic statement came recently in Sri Lanka, where they completed a dominant 3-0 sweep. The B Quintet for success - Buttler sets the tone. Ben keeps it relentless. Banton brings unpredictability. Brook thrives on bravado. Bethell adds the sheer class and quality. England’s biggest weapon remains their batting depth. Together, they form the spine of England’s batting blueprint and aggressive approach. From Phil Salt at the top to hitters stationed as low as eight or nine, runs can come from anywhere. That said, the engine room still lies at the top. Jos Buttler endured a mixed 2025, yet finished as England’s leading T20 run scorer for the year. Phil Salt followed closely, and was the only Englishman to register a T20 hundred during the calendar. Sam Curran’s return to form has been a timely boost, crowned by a Player of the Series award in Sri Lanka. And when the moment calls, Jamie Overton’s brute force is not hidden from anyone. Spin is the king - Aware of the conditions in the subcontinent, England have packed their attack with spin. Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed lead the leg-spin charge, supported by the off-spin of Liam Dawson and Will Jacks. Among them Rashid and Dawson had a tremendous 2025, being England’s top two wicket-takers, also being one of their most economical bowlers in this format. Jofra Archer fronts the pace unit, with Josh Tongue’s emergence and Luke Wood’s experience offering variety, while Curran and Overton provide the luxury of options. From Qualifiers to Giant-Killers - Ending a decade-long wait by qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup proved to be a turning point for Nepal. Since then, they have been in impressive form, winning 17 matches and losing just six, which includes a win and a defeat in a couple of games that went into the super over. This is a return that reflects both growth and belief. Victories over the Netherlands and Scotland highlight their consistency, but the landmark moment came last year in Sharjah, where Nepal claimed a 2-1 series win against West Indies. An unbeaten run in the EAP regional qualifiers only reinforced that upward curve. This is a side that is learning fast, growing in confidence, and increasingly comfortable taking the fight to bigger opponents. Enough firepower to compete - Nepal’s batting base is clearly defined. Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh were the team’s most prolific run scorers in T20 cricket in 2025, piling up 509 and 394 runs respectively. Bhurtel is already one of only five Nepali players to register a T20I hundred and underlined his upside with a breathtaking unbeaten 92 against the USA in 2024. Vice captain Dipendra Singh Airee adds depth and unpredictability across phases. A T20I centurion himself, he remains Nepal’s key X factor with both bat and ball. With the bowling, Sandeep Lamichhane provides proven wicket taking quality. Nepal’s leading wicket taker last year with 21 scalps, he enters the tournament as a genuine threat even to elite batting line ups. Team form - (Last 5 T20Is, latest result first) - ENGLAND - WWWWW | NEPAL - WWWWW. What do the records say? England have played four T20Is at the Wankhede Stadium and have won two, lost two. With the kind of firepower they possess throughout their batting order, it is almost certain that this is going to be a high-scoring game. Nepal’s spin can play a huge role in strangling down the opposition, as England have shown a bit of vulnerability against the tweakers recently. Let's hope for a thrilling game of cricket. Advance intimation of Playing XI - England have shown a bit of self confidence by stating their playing XI roughly a day in advance. They have gone in with possibly 4 spin options in Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks. The pace attack comprises of three quicks - Jofra Archer, Luke Wood and Sam Curran. There was some purchase for spin during the India-USA game, but only time will tell whether picking 4 spinners in the side, on a traditionally bouncy Wankhede is a luxury, or a necessity. Here is England's playing XI - Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Luke Wood.