Pulse took a thrilling four-run victory over Nepal here at Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium, the chief entertainer atmosphere of T20 World Cup 2026 with a near nail-biting finish. Winners batted first, reaching 184/6 to post their highest-ever score in the arena, thanks largely to half-centuries from Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook-plus, an aggregate of 637 runs put Buttler in the third rank of run makers in the tournament. Losing the match at 180/6 after a mighty struggle was Nepalese misfortune.
A good recovery stifles the early storm of the English innings
England was shaken when Phil Salt made just one run and walked back in the second over. Buttler and Bethell hitting with silky strokes slammed 38 of 27 before Nandan Yadav removed Buttler on 26 from 17.
After six overs, English were 57/2. Sandeep Lamichhane’s bowling filled them with hope when he removed the scalp of Tom Banton, caught lbw. The captain and Bethell stepped into the action to construct a 71-run horizontal site for the fourth-wicket setup, which shifted the momentum back to England.
Bethell finished with 55 runs off 34 balls. On T20 World Cup debut, he compiled the second half-century by an Englishman. Brook, on the other hand, played a much needed hand of 53 off 32 in bustling the run-rate. Will Jacks was able to step in later on, putting up a circulating 39 off 18, and has ensured that England remains very competitive at 184/6.
Buttler milestone and other individual highlights
Jos Buttler blasted for a 26 with rapidity but took a great global significance. In overtaking Mahela Jayawardene, he became the third highest run scorer in T20 World Cup history. Thus, adding a layer of narrative as England played towards the balance of individual achievements with team objectives.
Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane and all-rounders Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav shared for Nepal the wickets. Sandeep Lamichhane’s leg-spin was accurate throughout, while Dipendra kept on hitting with wickets at regular intervals, all of which kept Nepal in the match and staged a shock in what was to be a very entertaining chase.
Nepal’s chase: fearless batting and crucial partnerships
Nepal began the chase with an attacking rush, reaching 31 for no loss in three overs as Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh struck at England. Aasif’s wicket fell easily to Liam Dawson, and Will Jacks, soon after, claimed Kushal’s scalp at 29, leaving Nepal at 47/2 at the end of the powerplay.
Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee then began rebuilding, with both setting up a 59-run unbroken stand and helping reach Nepal safely by the 12th over to the score of 101/1. This slowly built pressure on the England bowlers and kept the match in balance by ensuring that the required rate did not run away.
Late drama and decisive moments
Sam Curran’s 15th over turned out to be decisive, breaking the agreement by having Dipendra dismissed for 44. Sam again threatened with the ball, and Liam Dawson dismissed Rohit Paudel to change momentum once more, putting the balance back to England during the crucial late phases.
Lokesh Bam’s stormy innings of 39 off 20 balls in the shriek-filled cauldron started Nepal’s gallant attempt to pull off a miracle and enter the super 4, albeit briefly. Englands bowlers never lost their heads: Dawson ended his spell at 2/21, Sam Curran ended up with 1/27 and Luke Wood ended his spell with 1/31. But for all that, Nepal fell tantalizingly short on 180/6.
Fear of rejuvenation, what now?
England had to have had all those qualities to come back from the quivering position they were in the middle overs. The middle-order knocks played by Bethell and Brook were remarkable and Buttler’s bail milestone will be a memory to cherish for him. From the Nepal’s point of view, the very performance was a joy to watch: spirited batting, tight spin and several partnerships which shone brightest in the match were things that proclaimed their belonging to the big stage.
England can take confidence in this narrow escape as a tournament progresses, but the pressure overflows towards what needs to be made more tight, particularly in taking early wickets and the consistency of death bowling. Nepal’s spirited show is adding some spice to the group and they may turn into something really dangerous if their richer cast also hold up using the bat and ball.
The Wankhede crowd had showcased a chanceful showdown; a mixture of individual histories, tension-building catches of partnerships, and nervous final overs gave a vivid sample on the close fight of this T20 World Cup cricket realm.
