England survived a major scare in their T20 World Cup opener after Nepal pushed them to the brink in a gripping contest that went down to the final moments. Chasing a competitive total, Nepal’s fearless approach stunned the former champions, who eventually held on for a narrow four-run win.
England had earlier posted 184 for seven, powered by aggressive knocks from Jacob Bethell and captain Harry Brook, along with a late surge from Will Jacks. The total looked strong on paper, but Nepal refused to back down and kept the pressure on throughout the chase.
Brook admitted after the match that England were surprised by Nepal’s attacking intent, especially against experienced leg-spinner Adil Rashid. He said the contest was far tougher than expected and praised Nepal for their fearless batting display, noting that few teams take on Rashid so confidently.
Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel expressed pride in his team’s performance despite the loss. He said the squad came into the World Cup determined to compete, not just participate, and their performance against England reflected that mindset. According to him, the players gave their full effort in every department and will aim to improve as the tournament progresses.
The chase was carefully planned, with Nepal trying to keep wickets in hand while maintaining a required run rate. Paudel explained that the aggressive approach against Rashid was not pre-planned but happened naturally during the match. He also highlighted the massive support from Nepalese fans, saying the team felt the backing of the entire nation.
Player of the Match Will Jacks also credited Nepal for pushing England deep into the game. He acknowledged that the pitch conditions made batting tricky and said Nepal adapted well, making the contest much tighter than expected. Jacks added that teams will need to adjust quickly to varying surfaces as the tournament moves forward.
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The dramatic finish served as a reminder that no team can be taken lightly in this World Cup. England may have secured the win, but Nepal’s spirited performance has already marked them as a side capable of challenging top teams on the biggest stage.
