England narrowly avoided a humiliating defeat to Nepal in their opening match of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai, surviving a dramatic final over to secure a tense victory. The defending champions posted a competitive total of 184-7 batting first, but Nepal produced an outstanding batting performance that pushed the match to the wire, nearly creating one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history.
England's Innings Builds a Solid Foundation
Batting first, England's innings was anchored by key contributions from the middle order. Jacob Bethell top-scored with a composed 55 runs, providing stability during the middle overs. However, it was Will Jacks who provided the crucial late impetus, smashing a rapid 39 runs off just 18 balls towards the back end of the innings to boost England's total to what appeared to be a commanding 184-7.
Nepal's Brave Chase Creates Nail-Biting Finish
Nepal's response began steadily before England appeared to take control by claiming middle-order wickets that stalled the associate nation's charge. Just when the match seemed to be slipping away, Lokesh Bam launched a brutal assault that reignited Nepal's hopes. The batsman hammered consecutive sixes off England's star bowler Jofra Archer, setting up a dramatic climax that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Curran Holds Nerve in Tense Final Over
With Nepal needing 10 runs from the final over, England captain Harry Brook turned to Sam Curran to defend the total. The left-arm seamer kept his nerve fantastically under immense pressure, delivering a series of well-executed deliveries. The match came down to the final ball, with Lokesh Bam needing a six to secure what would have been Nepal's most famous cricket victory. Curran held his line and length perfectly, denying the batsman the boundary he needed as England escaped with their World Cup campaign intact.
The narrow victory serves as an early warning for England, who will need to address their bowling vulnerabilities as they progress through the tournament. For Nepal, the performance demonstrated their growing capability on the world stage and earned them respect despite the heartbreaking defeat.
