England Survive Major Scare to Edge Nepal in T20 World Cup Thriller
England were pushed to the absolute limit in their T20 World Cup opener, requiring a nerveless final over from Sam Curran to secure a tense four-run victory over a spirited Nepal side at a raucous Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This breathless contest, the first ever meeting between the two nations, saw the tournament favourites given a monumental scare by their Associate opponents before ultimately prevailing.
Curran Holds Nerve in Dramatic Finale
With Nepal requiring just 10 runs from the final six deliveries to pull off a historic upset, Sam Curran delivered a masterclass in death bowling. He nailed his lines and lengths perfectly, restricting the Nepali batters and ensuring England avoided a shock defeat reminiscent of their 2009 loss to the Netherlands. The victory marks England's 11th win in their last 12 completed T20 internationals.
Bethell and Brook Provide Batting Backbone
England's total of 184 for seven, the highest score recorded in the tournament so far, was built on the foundations of two excellent half-centuries. Jacob Bethell provided explosive impetus with a rapid 55 from just 35 balls, including two leg-side sixes off mystery spinner Sher Malla. He brought up England's 100 with a mighty six off leg-spinner Kushal Bhurtel, reaching a 28-ball fifty.
Harry Brook provided crucial support with a composed 53 from 32 deliveries. After a slow start where he collected just 20 from his first 17 balls, Brook sparked into life by clearing the ropes off Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Singh Airee. His partnership with Bethell rescued England from a precarious position of 57 for three after 6.1 overs, following the dismissals of Jos Buttler for 26 and Tom Banton lbw.
Jacks' Cameo and Dawson's Excellence
Will Jacks played a vital cameo innings, smashing an unbeaten 39 from only 18 deliveries. His late assault included three sixes in the final over, the last of which secured England's record tournament score. With the ball, Liam Dawson was the standout performer, claiming excellent figures of two for 21 from his four overs of spin.
Nepal's Valiant Chase Falls Just Short
Nepal, cheered passionately by thousands of travelling fans, launched a fearless chase. Opener Kushal Bhurtel set the tone by clubbing three fours in four balls off Jofra Archer and lofting Luke Wood for a six as Nepal plundered 31 from the first three overs.
Even after Bhurtel fell for 29 and Aasif Sheikh departed, Nepal remained in contention. Captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee took the attack to England's premier spinner Adil Rashid, who had an uncharacteristically expensive day, conceding 42 from his three overs including 19 from his third.
Airee's stunning reverse-swept six off Rashid seemed a potential momentum shift, but he fell for 44 in the next over to Curran. Paudel holed out for 39 to a fine tumbling catch from Phil Salt. The late heroics came from Lokesh Bam, whose unbeaten 39 included back-to-back sixes in an Archer over that cost 22 runs, breathing fresh life into the chase.
Wood conceded 14 from the penultimate over, leaving Nepal needing 10 from the final six balls. However, Bam could not find the boundary against Curran's precision, with England eventually securing a hard-fought victory to begin their Group C campaign.
Tournament Context and Conditions
England elected to bat first in sweltering 30-degree heat in Mumbai, looking to build on their recent form after beating Sri Lanka in both ODI and T20 series following a bruising Ashes defeat. While Phil Salt fell to the first ball of the innings, top-edging Sher Malla to short fine-leg, England's middle order ensured a competitive total against 14 overs of spin bowling.
The victory ensures England avoid an early tournament setback as they seek to add another T20 World Cup title to their collection, having been pushed to their absolute limits by a determined Nepali side that announced itself on the global stage with this performance.
