England Survive Lokesh Bam Scare to Edge Nepal in Last-Ball Thriller
In one of the most electrifying contests of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, England narrowly escaped a massive upset, defeating a spirited Nepal side by just 4 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. What seemed like a comfortable defense for the defending champions turned into a last-over nail-biter, thanks to a stunning late assault by Nepal’s lower order, led by the explosive Lokesh Bam.
Chasing a daunting target of 185, Nepal finished on 180/6, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very final delivery. This match will be remembered not just for England’s power-hitting but for Nepal’s refusal to bow down to a cricketing giant.
England’s Innings: The Brook & Bethell Show
After being put into bat, England’s start was far from ideal. The Nepalese bowlers, backed by a vocal crowd, struck early blows that rattled the English top order. However, a masterclass in middle-order stability and death-over hitting propelled England to a competitive 184/7.
The Top Order Wobble
Nepal’s bowlers started with discipline. The dangerous Phil Salt was removed cheaply for just 1 run, falling to Sher Malla. Captain Jos Buttler looked dangerous, striking 5 boundaries in a quick-fire 26, but his dismissal left England in a tricky position at 2 down.
The Game-Changing Partnership
The spine of England’s innings was formed by the youthful brilliance of Jacob Bethell and skipper Harry Brook. The duo dismantled the spin threat, rotating strike and finding the boundary with ease.
- Jacob Bethell announced himself on the big stage with a fluent 55 off 35 balls, including 4 towering sixes.
- Harry Brook played a captain’s knock, scoring 53 off 32 balls, anchoring the innings while maintaining a strike rate of over 165.
The Will Jacks Finish
Just as Nepal looked to pull things back in the final 5 overs, Will Jacks played a defining cameo. His unbeaten 39 off just 18 balls (4 sixes) was the difference between a 160-run total and the match-winning 184.
England Batting Scorecard Breakdown
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Dismissal |
| Phil Salt | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | c Lamichhane b Sher Malla |
| Jos Buttler (Wk) | 26 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 152.94 | c Aasif Sheikh b Nandan Yadav |
| Jacob Bethell | 55 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 157.14 | c Lokesh Bam b DS Airee |
| Tom Banton | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 | lbw b Sandeep Lamichhane |
| Harry Brook (C) | 53 | 32 | 4 | 3 | 165.63 | c Sher Malla b Nandan Yadav |
| Sam Curran | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 | b Dipendra Singh Airee |
| Will Jacks | 39* | 18 | 1 | 4 | 216.67 | Not Out |
| Jofra Archer | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 | Run Out (Aasif Sheikh) |
| Total | 184/7 | (20 Overs) | 9.20 RPO |
The Chase: Nepal’s Brave Fightback
Chasing 185 against an attack featuring Jofra Archer and Sam Curran was never going to be easy, but Nepal approached it with fearless intent.
The Foundation
Nepal’s chase was kept alive by meaningful contributions from the middle order. Dipendra Singh Airee was instrumental, scoring a brisk 44 off 28 balls, while captain Rohit Paudel added a valuable 39. Their partnership kept the required run rate within touching distance, even as wickets fell at regular intervals.
The Lokesh Bam Special
Walking in with the game seemingly drifting away, Lokesh Bam played a blinder that stunned the English camp. Bam smashed the English pacers to all parts of the ground, scoring an unbeaten 39 off 20 balls.
Heading into the final overs, Bam took apart Jofra Archer and Luke Wood, hitting consecutive sixes and keeping Nepal in the hunt when 48 runs were needed off the last 18 balls.
Key Nepal Batting Stats
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Status |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 44 | 28 | Out |
| Rohit Paudel | 39 | 33 | Out |
| Lokesh Bam | 39* | 20 | Not Out |
| Karan KC | 1* | 1 | Not Out |
The Final Over Drama
The equation boiled down to a thrilling finish: Nepal needed 10 runs off the last over, bowled by Sam Curran.
- 19.1: Curran bowls full, dot ball. (10 off 5)
- 19.2: Single to Bam. (9 off 4)
- 19.3: Karan KC squeezes a single. (8 off 3)
- 19.4: Bam whips it for 2 runs. (6 off 2)
- 19.5: Dot ball! Curran nails the yorker. (6 off 1)
- 19.6: A single/dot to end the game.
England survived by the skin of their teeth, winning by 4 runs as Nepal finished on 180/6. It was a heartbreak for the Rhinos, who needed just one maximum to create history.
Bowling Analysis: Where the Match Was Won
While England’s batting set the platform, their bowlers held their nerve—just barely.
- Liam Dawson was the pick of the bowlers, choking the runs in the middle overs with figures of 2/21.
- Sam Curran defended the final over under immense pressure, finishing with 1/27.
- Luke Wood proved expensive but picked up a crucial wicket, ending with 1/31.
England Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Liam Dawson | 4.0 | 21 | 2 | 5.25 |
| Sam Curran | 4.0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
| Luke Wood | 3.0 | 31 | 1 | 10.33 |
| Jofra Archer | 4.0 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 |
Conclusion: A Moral Victory for Nepal?
England takes the 2 points, moving up in Group C, but the story of the day is Nepal. To push the defending champions to the final ball of the match is a testament to their growth as a cricketing nation.
- Turning Point: The 18-run final over of England’s innings, where Will Jacks went berserk, ultimately provided the 4-run cushion England needed to win.
- Player of the Match: Likely Jacob Bethell for his game-changing fifty that rescued England from a precarious start.
Nepal may have lost the match, but they have surely won millions of hearts. For England, it is a wake-up call that no team in this World Cup can be taken lightly.
Final Score Summary
- England: 184/7 (20 Overs)
- Nepal: 180/6 (20 Overs)
- Result: England won by 4 runs.
