England vs Nepal: Nepal lost by just four runs, but they walked off the Wankhede Stadium field with their heads high. And the reason? A fearless, heart-pounding knock from wicketkeeper-batter Lokesh Bahadur Bam that nearly stole the game from defending champions England in this thrilling ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash.
Chasing a tough 185, Nepal looked out of it at 129/4 after 16 overs. The asking rate was over 12 an over. England smelled victory. Then Lokesh Bahadur Bam walked in – and everything changed.
How Bam Turned the Game Upside Down
Bam showed zero fear. He took on Jofra Archer and smashed him for two huge sixes. England’s death bowlers suddenly looked rattled. The required rate dropped from impossible to “maybe possible.” The crowd roared every time Bam connected.
The real drama hit in the last over from Sam Curran. Ten runs needed off six balls. Bam refused a single on the fourth ball – he backed himself to finish it with one big hit.
Curran kept his cool, varied his pace, and Bam could only manage one off the final ball. Nepal fell short by four runs. Bam finished unbeaten on 39 off just 20 balls – pure class under pressure.
He dropped to his haunches in disappointment, but the Wankhede crowd gave him a standing ovation. England won, but England vs Nepal Lokesh Bahadur Bam became the headline.
Who Exactly Is Lokesh Bahadur Bam?
This wasn’t a fluke. The 25-year-old from Doti, Nepal, has been turning heads in domestic cricket for years. He’s a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter built for finishing – clean striking, strong against pace, and fearless from ball one.
Nepal now trusts him as their designated closer. His simple motto? Swing hard, trust your range, ignore the bowler’s name.
Lokesh Bahadur Bam – Key T20 Stats
Here’s why scouts from big T20 leagues are taking notes:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 Internationals | 19 | 199 | 153.07 | 39* |
| Overall T20 Career | 32 | 476 | 162.45 | 106 |
Those numbers scream potential. A finisher who can go at nearly 200 against top pacers? That’s gold in modern cricket.
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Bigger Than the Scoreboard
England got the two points, but this match felt different. Nepal didn’t just show up – they pushed a champion side to the brink. And Lokesh Bahadur Bam was the heartbeat of that fight.
This could be Nepal’s first big “almost” moment at a T20 World Cup. For Bam, it’s a global introduction. The cricket world now knows his name.
England survived by four runs. Nepal earned massive respect. And England vs Nepal Lokesh Bahadur Bam gave us a new star to watch.
Who else got goosebumps watching that cameo? Drop your thoughts below – is Bam the next big thing from Nepal?
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