England narrowly defeated Nepal by four runs in a gripping T20 World Cup encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, holding their nerve in a match that went down to the final overs. After posting a challenging total, England were pushed hard by a spirited Nepal side but managed to secure a crucial victory.

Batting first, England suffered an early setback when Phil Salt was dismissed for just one in the second over by Sher Malla. Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell then steadied the innings, adding 38 runs for the second wicket at a brisk pace. Nepal struck back in the fifth over as Nandan Yadav removed Buttler for 26 off 17 balls, an innings that featured five boundaries, leaving England at 57 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.

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England’s troubles continued immediately after as Sandeep Lamichhane trapped Tom Banton lbw for two with the first ball following the powerplay. From there, Jacob Bethell and captain Harry Brook led a strong recovery, stitching together a vital 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket to regain momentum. Bethell was dismissed for 55 off 34 balls by Dipendra Singh Airee, while Brook completed his half-century with 53 off 32 deliveries before falling to Nandan Yadav, who claimed his second wicket of the match.

A late flourish from Will Jacks, who remained unbeaten on 39 off 18 balls, powered England to a total of 184. Bethell also achieved a notable milestone by joining Kevin Pietersen as only the second Englishman to score a half-century on T20 World Cup debut. Buttler, meanwhile, overtook Mahela Jayawardene to become the third-highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history. For Nepal, Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav picked up two wickets each, while Sher Malla and Sandeep Lamichhane chipped in with one apiece.

In reply, Nepal made a confident start as Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh raced to 31 without loss inside three overs. England hit back through Liam Dawson, who dismissed Aasif Sheikh, and Will Jacks soon followed by removing Bhurtel for 29 off 17 balls, reducing Nepal to 47 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.

Captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee then put England under pressure with a strong partnership, taking Nepal to 101 at the end of the 12th over. England regained control in the 15th over when Sam Curran dismissed Dipendra Singh Airee for 44 off 29 balls, breaking an 82-run stand. In the next over, Liam Dawson struck again by removing Rohit Paudel for 39 off 34, leaving Nepal needing a strong finish.

Lokesh Bam’s unbeaten 39 off 20 balls, which included four boundaries and two sixes, kept Nepal in the contest until the end. However, the target proved just out of reach as Nepal finished on 180 for 6, falling short by four runs in a thrilling contest. For England, Liam Dawson led the bowling with figures of 2 for 21, while Luke Wood and Sam Curran also picked up key wickets to seal a hard-fought win.

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