England’s young all-rounder Jacob Bethell was embarrassed while attempting a no-look shot in the T20 World Cup 2026 game against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, February 8. The left-handed batsman missed the no-look shot as the ball went straight to the fielder at long-on.
England had a poor start after being invited to bat in their first match in the ongoing tournament. Opener Phil Salt was out after scoring just 1 run in 2 balls, leaving England’s score at 5/1. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler and Bettel saved the team by making an important partnership of 43 runs for the second wicket.
Jacob Bethel’s no-look shot backfires, ending in embarrassing dismissal
Jacob Bethel batted aggressively and completed his half-century by hitting two consecutive sixes. The left-handed batsman reached this historic feat in just 28 balls. Before being out, he scored 55 runs in 35 balls, which included four fours and four sixes.
On the fourth ball of the 14th over of England’s innings, Bettel tried to hit a no-look lofted shot against Deependra Singh Airey, but failed to middle the ball. He mistimed the stroke, causing it to go up in the air without enough distance.
The ball went towards long-on, where Lokesh Bam stepped forward and completed a comfortable catch. Bethel immediately realized his mistake, bowed his head and walked back, ending an entertaining innings.
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) 8 February 2026
Jacob Bethell joins elite England list with T20 World Cup debut fifty
Jacob Bethell became only the second England batsman to score a half-century on his T20 World Cup debut. Before him, Kevin Pietersen had achieved this feat by playing a stormy innings of 79 runs against Zimbabwe in Cape Town in 2007.
This innings also made Bethel the youngest England player to score a half-century in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He reached the milestone at the age of 22 years and 108 days, surpassing Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2026.
Youngest England batsman to score a half-century in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup:
| age | player | rival | venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22y 108d | jacob bethel | Nepal | Wankhede, Mumbai | 2026 |
| 22 years 169 days | Craig Kieswetter | Australia | bridgetown | 2010 |
| 23y 235d | eoin morgan | west indies | Thrift | 2010 |
| 23y 268d | alex helms | west indies | Pallekele | 2012 |
| 24 years 42 days | Ravi Bopara | west indies | Oval | 2009 |
Will Jacks’ late cameo takes England to 184/7
England finished their innings at 184 for 7 after a late cameo from Will Jacques, who remained unbeaten on 39 off 18 balls with the help of one four and four sixes.
At 120 for 3 after 13 overs, England looked headed for a huge score. However, Nepal slowed down the scoring by conceding only 19 runs in three overs. After this, England added 45 runs in the last three overs. Nepal’s decision to bowl Karan KC in the last over proved costly as England took 21 runs from it.
Nepal Playing XI: Kushal Bhurtel, Asif Sheikh (wicketkeeper), Rohit Paudel (captain), Deependra Singh Airey, Arif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla.
England Playing XI: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethel, Tom Banton, Harry Brook(c), Sam Curran, Will Jacques, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.
Also read: Suryakumar Yadav, Gautam Gambhir warn of ‘overconfidence’ after victory over America in T20 World Cup
