In a match defined by high tension and shifting momentums, England clung on to beat Nepal by a narrow margin of four runs in a last-ball thriller at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. What was expected to be a routine Group C match morphed into a desperate battle for survival for the defending champions, as they narrowly avoided one of the biggest upsets in the history of the T20 World Cup.
The atmosphere was electric, with a raucous early evening crowd heavily favoring the cricketing minnows. Despite the one-sided crowd, England held their nerve in the dying moments to deny Nepal a victory that would have reverberated through the cricket world.
صرف ایک کلک، اور ہر اہم خبر سب سے پہلے آپ کے موبائل پر
ابھی جوائن کریںThe Final Over Drama: Sam Curran vs. Lokesh Bam
The contest boiled down to a single delivery. Chasing an imposing total of 185 to win, Nepal found themselves requiring a six off the final ball. Left-arm seamer Sam Curran was tasked with defending the total against the rampant Lokesh Bam.
Lokesh Bam, who finished on a valiant 39 not out, had dragged Nepal to the brink of history. However, on the final delivery, he could only club the ball to deep cover for a single. It was an agonising end to a valiant run chase for Nepal, who finished on 180-6, falling just short of the summit.
England’s Batting: Bethell, Brook, and the Will Jacks Cameo
England’s innings was anchored by two significant half-centuries. Jacob Bethell scored a fluid 55, while Harry Brook added 53, setting a solid platform for the middle order. However, it was the late cameo by Will Jacks that ultimately separated the two sides.
Will Jacks displayed brutal efficiency, smashing three spectacular sixes off the final over bowled by Karan KC. Jacks finished 39 not out off 18 balls, propelling England to a competitive 184-7. Without this late surge, the result might have been different, as that total proved to be just out of reach for the brave Nepalese side.
Nepal’s Fearless Response: The Paudel-Airee Partnership
Nepal began their chase with intent. Opener Kushal Bhurtel got them off to a flying start, crunching 29 off 17 balls before Will Jacks had him caught and bowled. This set the stage for the game’s outstanding partnership between captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee.
صرف ایک کلک، اور ہر اہم خبر سب سے پہلے آپ کے موبائل پر
ابھی جوائن کریںComing together at 42-2, the pair put on an 82-run partnership for the third wicket. They attacked England’s premier bowlers with disdain, bringing up Nepal’s 100 in the 12th over. Airee, whose power-hitting credentials include the fastest international half-century against Mongolia, showcased his talent by hitting two sixes and a four in a single over.
The Turning Point: Dawson and Curran Strike
The blitz left Nepal needing 62 off the last six overs with eight wickets in hand—a very achievable equation by modern T20 standards. However, the reintroduction of Sam Curran provided the vital breakthrough. Curran dismissed Airee for 44, as he holed out to Tom Banton.
This wicket slowed the momentum significantly. Shortly after, Rohit Paudel (39) attempted to sweep Liam Dawson but found Phil Salt at deep midwicket, leaving Nepal at 126-4 in the 16th over. Liam Dawson was undoubtedly the pick of the bowlers, finishing with economical figures of 2-21, asserting control when England needed it most.
Struggles for England’s Premier Bowlers
While England won, the performance raised questions about their bowling attack. Adil Rashid, usually England’s bankable asset, was put to the sword. The leg-spinner was launched for 19 off his third over and finished wicketless with figures of 0-42. This marked a rare off-day for Rashid, who has historically been difficult to score against.
Similarly, pace ace Jofra Archer struggled to contain the flow of runs. Archer conceded 14 off his first over and, despite a brief period of control, was thrashed for three sixes and 22 runs in his final over by Lokesh Bam. Archer finished with figures of 1-42, leaving Nepal needing just 24 off 12 balls for an unlikely win before Curran’s final over heroics.
