In what will be remembered as one of the closest matches in tournament history, England narrowly avoided a monumental upset in their England vs Nepal T20 World Cup clash in Mumbai. Despite a valiant effort from the Nepalese side, England’s experience at the death allowed them to escape with a slim 4-run victory.
Brook and Bethell Power England to 184
After being put in to bat, England faced immediate trouble as debutant Sher Malla dismissed Phil Salt for just 1. However, a rebuilding act from young Jacob Bethell (55 off 35) and captain Harry Brook (53 off 32) set the foundation.
The highlight of the first innings was a late explosive cameo by Will Jacks, who hammered an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls, including three sixes in the final over against Karan KC, pushing England to a formidable 184/7.
Nepal’s Historic Chase Falls Agonizingly Short
Nepal’s response was nothing short of heroic. Following a steady start, captain Rohit Paudel (39) and Dipendra Singh Airee (44) put on a magnificent 82-run partnership that silenced the Wankhede crowd. Airee, in particular, looked dangerous, becoming the first Nepalese player to cross 2,000 T20I runs during his knock.
The game reached fever pitch when Lokesh Bam launched a stunning assault, scoring 39 off 20 balls*. Bam took 22 runs off a single Jofra Archer over, leaving Nepal needing just 10 runs from the final 6 deliveries.
Sam Curran: The Hero at the Death
With the match on the line, Sam Curran was tasked with the final over. Showing incredible composure, Curran utilized pinpoint yorkers to restrict the scoring. Nepal needed a six off the final delivery for a historic win, but Bam could only manage a single off a low full toss.
England finished with 184/7, while Nepal ended at 180/6, falling just one hit away from glory.
Match Summary: ENG vs NEP
| Team | Score | Top Performer |
| England | 184/7 (20) | Jacob Bethell (55), Will Jacks (39*) |
| Nepal | 180/6 (20) | Dipendra Singh Airee (44), Lokesh Bam (39*) |
Result: England won by 4 runs.
Player of the Match: Will Jacks (39* runs & 1/17)
