England narrowly defeated Nepal by four runs in a thrilling T20 World Cup match at Mumbai, avoiding a potential upset. The encounter ended dramatically, with Nepal’s Lokesh Bam needing a six off the final ball but only managing a single.
Chasing a target of 185, Nepal put up a commendable fight, reaching 180-6. There was significant pressure on England, particularly from Bam, who remained unbeaten on 39. Early in the innings, England’s bowlers faced challenges, especially from Nepal’s batsmen who found success against Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid.
Key contributions from England came from Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook, who both scored fifties, with Bethell making 55 and Brook 53. Will Jacks also played a pivotal role, hammering three sixes in a stunning final over to help England set a total of 184-7.
Nepal’s chase began positively with Kushal Bhurtel scoring 29 off just 17 balls before being dismissed. As the innings progressed, captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee formed a critical partnership at 42-2, guiding Nepal to their 100 in the 12th over.
While Archer struggled initially, he managed to recover in his subsequent overs, conceding just six runs. Unfortunately, Rashid faced a challenging day, with Airee particularly targeting him before being dismissed for 44. The loss of two key wickets caused a shift in momentum, making it increasingly difficult for Nepal.
As Nepal continued their pursuit, they required just 62 runs off the last six overs with eight wickets in hand. Sam Curran’s return proved crucial as he claimed a key wicket, disrupting the flow of runs by dismissing Paudel, who contributed 39 runs.
In a tense finish, Nepal’s hopes remained alive, especially after Archer’s final over where he conceded 22 runs, leaving them needing just 24 off the last 12 balls. Dawson emerged as England’s standout bowler with figures of 2-21, helping to secure the narrow win amid mounting pressure from Nepal.
Despite the loss, Nepal’s performance showcased their capabilities, and the match will be remembered for its nail-biting conclusion and the spirited fight put up against a full-strength English side.