England Wins Close Game Against Nepal in Cricket World Cup

England has won their first T20 World Cup game against Nepal. It was a very close match. Nepal needed only 10 runs in the last 6 balls to win, but England's bowler Sam Curran did a great job and only let them score 5 runs. Nepal played very well and almost won.
By Newsroom | Cricket, World Cup |

England narrowly defeated Nepal by four runs in a tense T20 World Cup match, a result that required a disciplined final over from Sam Curran to secure. The match, held at the Wankhede Stadium, saw Nepal threaten a historic upset against the two-time champions, ultimately falling short in the final moments.

Match Narrative and Key Moments

The contest unfolded as a nail-biting affair from its early stages. Nepal's aggressive approach, particularly in the initial overs of their chase, put England under significant pressure.

England deny Nepal in final-ball World Cup thriller - 1

  • Nepal's Charge:

  • Nepal's opening batters, Khushal Bhurtel (29 off 17 balls) and later Rohit Paudel (39 off 34 balls) and Dipendra Singh Airee (44 off 29 balls), demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill.

  • Airee's innings was noted for effective use of the sweep and reverse sweep.

  • Paudel launched Adil Rashid for a significant six, signaling Nepal's intent.

  • The partnership between Paudel and Airee yielded 82 runs from 54 deliveries.

  • Despite a checked run rate following key wickets, Nepal mounted a strong late surge, needing 10 runs from the final six balls.

  • England's Performance:

  • England's batting innings was anchored by half-centuries from Harry Brook (53 off 32 balls) and Jacob Bethell (55 off 35 balls), both sealed with sixes.

  • Will Jacks provided a crucial late surge, scoring an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls, including three sixes in the final over of England's innings, propelling their total to 184 for 7.

  • Jacks' explosive finish against bowler Karan KC was a notable turning point in England's batting effort.

  • The Final Over:

  • With Nepal requiring 10 runs in the last over to win, bowler Sam Curran was tasked with defending the total.

  • Curran's precise bowling effectively limited Nepal to just five runs, securing England's victory. His performance is highlighted as crucial in preventing a shock defeat.

Squads and Performance Data

TeamInningsScoreOversWicketsKey BattersKey Bowlers
England1184/7207J. Bethell (55), H. Brook (53), W. Jacks (39*)S. Curran (limited runs in final over)
Nepal2180/6206D.S. Airee (44), R. Paudel (39), L. Bam (39*)K. KC, L. Lamichhane, A. Airee

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Expert Analysis and Context

The match represented the first-ever international meeting between England and Nepal. This debut encounter tested England's composure, particularly given Nepal's aggressive and fearless approach.

"Nepal threaten to pull off stunning upset versus England in Mumbai before finishing on 180-6 in chase of 185; Sam Curran concedes only five of 10 runs Associate nation require from final over." (Sky Sports)

The context of this match is England's opening game in the T20 World Cup campaign. For Nepal, this was an opportunity to record their most significant victory in cricket history.

England deny Nepal in final-ball World Cup thriller - 2

Contrasting Perspectives on the Match

England's Resilience Under Pressure

England's ability to hold their nerve in a high-pressure situation is emphasized by multiple reports. Sam Curran's performance in the final over is consistently cited as the decisive factor in preventing a loss. The report from BBC Sport notes England's relief and mentions that their players congratulated Curran for his efforts. The Guardian highlights that England avoided wilting where "other England sides have before," suggesting a psychological victory in addition to the on-field one.

Nepal's Impressive Showing

Conversely, the narrative surrounding Nepal's performance is one of courage and near-achievement. Reports underscore their "fearless" approach and their ability to challenge a more established cricketing nation. ESPN Cricinfo points out that Nepal's bowlers struck early in their spells, potentially benefiting from England's unfamiliarity with their opposition. The final scoreline of 180 for 6 in pursuit of 185 demonstrates how close Nepal came to securing a famous win. The effort is characterized as a "charge" and a "resilient" display.

Conclusion and Future Implications

England's victory, though hard-fought, provides them with a winning start to their T20 World Cup campaign. The match served as a potent reminder of the increasing competitiveness of associate nations in international cricket.

Read More: Italy to Bowl First Against Nepal in T20 World Cup Match

  • England's Performance: While the victory was secured, the vulnerability exposed during Nepal's chase will likely prompt introspection within the England camp regarding bowling consistency and middle-order batting application.

  • Nepal's Future: Nepal’s performance signals a growing prowess on the international stage. Their ability to compete closely with a former World Cup winner indicates their potential for future upsets and their increasing significance in associate cricket.

  • Match Significance: The game was a thriller decided on the final ball, highlighting the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and the capacity of emerging teams to challenge established giants.

Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the cricket match?
England won the match against Nepal.
Q: How many runs did England win by?
England won by 4 runs.
Q: What was the final score?
England scored 184 runs and Nepal scored 180 runs.
Q: Who was the player that helped England win at the end?
Sam Curran bowled the last over and stopped Nepal from scoring the runs they needed.