England Hold Nerve To Beat Nepal By Four Runs In T20 World Cup Thriller
England edged past a spirited Nepal side by just four runs in a dramatic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
Batting first, England posted a challenging total of 184, riding on crucial half-centuries from Jacob Bethell and captain Harry Brook, while Jos Buttler achieved a major personal milestone in the tournament.
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England’s innings got off to a shaky start as Phil Salt was dismissed for one by Sher Malla in the second over. Jos Buttler and Bethell then added 38 runs for the second wicket before Nandan Yadav removed Buttler for 26 off 17 balls.
England reached 57 for two at the end of the powerplay, but lost momentum immediately after as Sandeep Lamichhane trapped Tom Banton lbw with the first ball after the fielding restrictions.
Bethell and Brook then steadied the innings with a vital 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Bethell was dismissed for 55 off 34 balls by Dipendra Singh Airee, while Brook went on to score 53 off 32 deliveries before falling to Nandan Yadav.
A late flourish from Will Jacks, who remained unbeaten on 39 off 18 balls, helped England push their total to 184 at the end of 20 overs.
During the innings, Buttler overtook Mahela Jayawardene to become the third-highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history. Bethell also joined Kevin Pietersen as only the second Englishman to score a half-century on T20 World Cup debut.
For Nepal, Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav picked up two wickets each, while Sher Malla and Sandeep Lamichhane claimed one wicket apiece.
Chasing 185, Nepal made an impressive start as Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh raced to 31 without loss in just three overs. England hit back through Liam Dawson and Will Jacks, reducing Nepal to 47 for two inside the powerplay.
Skipper Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee then put England under pressure with a strong partnership, taking Nepal to 101 for one after 12 overs.
The turning point came in the 15th over when Sam Curran dismissed Airee for 44, breaking an 82-run stand. In the following over, Dawson removed Paudel for 39, leaving Nepal needing a big finish.
Despite a valiant unbeaten 39 off 20 balls from Lokesh Bam, Nepal fell short, finishing on 180 for six and losing a thrilling contest by four runs.
For England, Liam Dawson was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Luke Wood and Sam Curran chipped in with one wicket each.
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