England survived a major scare against Nepal at the T20 World Cup, holding on for a four run win in a match that swung repeatedly and left the favourites under sustained pressure.
Nepal, chasing 185, mounted a spirited response built on aggressive strokeplay and a series of partnerships that kept the target in sight deep into the final overs. Captain Rohit Paudel had framed the challenge in defiant terms before the tournament began.
As Paudel said: “the Nepalese are used to climbing mountains.”
Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh laid a solid platform before Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee combined for a defining stand that shifted momentum. Airee’s power and Paudel’s control forced England onto the defensive, with Adil Rashid removed from the attack after an expensive spell.
Both set batters fell in quick succession, offering England brief relief. Lokesh Bam then revived Nepal’s chase with a late assault that carried the match into the final over. Nepal required 10 from the last six balls after taking 46 from the previous three overs. Sam Curran closed out the contest under pressure, securing victory by four runs.
England’s innings had begun in uncertain fashion after being put in to bat. Sher Malla struck with the first ball of the match, dismissing Phil Salt. Nandan Yadav removed Jos Buttler soon after, and Sandeep Lamichhane trapped Tom Banton lbw following the powerplay to leave England 57 for three.
Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook stabilised the innings with half centuries and shared a 71 run partnership that provided momentum. Brook accelerated before Bethell fell attempting to match his scoring rate. Will Jacks delivered a decisive late surge, scoring rapidly in the closing overs to push England to 184.
After an awkward cameo from Curran, unlike when he had the ball in his hand, when wielding a bat he seemed entirely unsure what to do with it or when to do it, Jacks emerged to drag England to what felt and ultimately proved a match winning target.
He began slowly, taking three singles from his first eight deliveries, before accelerating to add another 36 from his remaining 10 balls. In the end the difference came in the closing overs. Jacks capitalised on Karan KC’s bowling to add 22 to England’s total. Nepal were left with a target that never moved beyond sight, but ultimately remained just out of reach.
Nepal’s response drew strong backing from a large travelling support and ended with a lap of honour after a performance that reinforced the side’s progress on the global stage.
