T20 World Cup 2026: England edge past Nepal, New Zealand dominate Afghanistan

Mumbai/Chennai: England narrowly avoided a major upset against Nepal, while New Zealand registered a comfortable win over Afghanistan as the T20 World Cup got underway with contrasting contests on Sunday.

At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Lokesh Bam’s blistering 39 not out off just 20 balls nearly pulled off a stunning upset for Nepal, but England held their nerve to seal a four-run victory in their Group C opener.

Chasing 185, Nepal finished on 180 for 6, falling just short after Sam Curran produced a superb final over to defend 10 runs. Bam struck two sixes and four boundaries to keep Nepal in the hunt until the end, but Curran conceded only five runs in the last six balls to see England home.

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Earlier, England recovered from a shaky start after opting to bat, posting 184 for 7. Jacob Bethell top-scored with 55 off 35 balls, while captain Harry Brook added 53 off 32 deliveries. Will Jacks provided the late flourish with an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls, lifting England from a precarious 137 for 5 in the 16th over to a competitive total.

England were reduced to 57 for 3 inside the power play before Bethell and Brook steadied the innings with a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket. After both fell in quick succession, Jacks took charge in the death overs.

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With the ball, Curran returned figures of 1 for 27, while left-arm spinner Liam Dawson claimed 2 for 21. For Nepal, skipper Rohit Paudel scored 39 off 34 balls, and Dipendra Singh hit a brisk 44 off 29 before being dismissed at a crucial juncture.

Jacks was named player of the match for his all-round contribution, also picking up 1 for 17 in his two overs.

Group C also features West Indies, Scotland and Italy. Two-time champions West Indies began their campaign with a 35-run win over Scotland on Saturday.

In the earlier Group D clash in Chennai, New Zealand chased down Afghanistan’s 182 for 6 to register a five-wicket victory, completing their highest-ever successful chase at a T20 World Cup with two overs to spare.

Tim Seifert anchored the chase with a composed 65 off 42 balls, his maiden T20 World Cup half-century. Glenn Phillips added 42, and the pair shared a 74-run partnership that turned the game after New Zealand slipped to 14 for 2 early on.

Afghanistan struck twice inside the first two overs through Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who bowled Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra off successive deliveries. Phillips survived the hat-trick ball and, alongside Seifert, rebuilt the innings.

Rashid Khan picked up 1 for 36 but struggled to contain the scoring in the middle overs. Mark Chapman (28 off 17 balls) and Daryl Mitchell (25 not out) finished the chase calmly.

Earlier, Afghanistan were lifted by Gulbadin Naib’s attacking 63 off 35 balls, which included four sixes and three boundaries. Naib shared a 79-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal (29) to push Afghanistan past 180 after winning the toss.

Lockie Ferguson led New Zealand’s bowling with 2 for 40, removing both openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (27) and Ibrahim Zadran (10).

The day’s final match saw co-hosts Sri Lanka face Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with Ireland winning the toss and opting to bowl.