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NEW DELHI: Two-time champions England survived a huge scare against a spirited Nepal in their Group C clash of the T20 World Cup, sealing a narrow four-run victory in a nerve-wracking tournament opener on Sunday.

Nepal came agonisingly close to scripting history as they nearly toppled one of the tournament favourites, finishing at 180/6 in response to England’s 184/7.

Lokesh Bam (39 not out off 20 balls) kept Nepal alive in the chase but fell short of delivering the final blow despite a valiant late charge.

Needing 10 runs in the final over, Nepal failed to find the boundary rope as Sam Curran executed his yorkers to perfection, conceding just five runs to seal the win for England.

More than 17,000 spectators packed the iconic Wankhede Stadium, with a majority backing Nepal as the Himalayan nation’s team punched well above its weight.

Nepal’s Fighting Run Chase

Skipper Rohit Paudel (39), Dipendra Singh Airee (39), Kushal Bhurtel (29) and Lokesh, who struck four boundaries and two sixes in his late flourish, fought hard but could not take Nepal over the line.

Lokesh launched a fierce assault when Nepal seemed cornered, smashing two sixes off Jofra Archer in the 18th over and following it up with two successive fours off Luke Wood in the penultimate over when Nepal needed 46 runs from the last three overs.

Bhurtel had earlier provided the early fireworks, while Paudel and Airee stitched together a solid 82-run partnership for the third wicket to stabilise the chase.

Even after losing Aasif Sheikh (7) early, Bhurtel counter-attacked with a brisk 29 off 17 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six to set the tempo.

However, his promising knock ended when he failed to keep the ball down and handed a simple return catch to Will Jacks in the sixth over.

Nepal gained fresh momentum in the 14th over when Paudel attacked England’s senior spinner Rashid Khan, pulling a wrong-un into the stands before driving the next delivery through covers for four.

Paudel then produced the ‘shot of the match’ with a perfectly executed switch-hit that sailed over deep square leg.

A drinks break disrupted Nepal’s rhythm, and Airee lost his wicket soon after, miscuing one off Sam Curran in the 15th over.

Paudel followed shortly after, sweeping one straight to Phil Salt at deep midwicket off Liam Dawson, ending a fine knock that had kept Nepal’s hopes alive.

Bethell and Brook Power England’s Total

Earlier, Jacob Bethell (55) and skipper Harry Brook (53) struck aggressive half-centuries to guide England to a competitive 184 for seven.

The young left-handed Bethell impressed on his T20 World Cup debut, smashing a 35-ball fifty with four sixes and four boundaries, while Brook returned to form with a confident knock.

Brook’s 32-ball innings featured four sixes and three fours, and his 71-run partnership with Bethell for the fourth wicket helped England recover despite strong resistance from Nepal’s bowlers.

Sher Malla struck early by dismissing Phil Salt (1) on the first ball of his second over, while Nandan Yadav removed Jos Buttler (26) just when he looked set to rebuild the innings.

Yadav tempted Buttler with one outside off to have him caught behind in the fifth over, and Nepal struck again in the seventh when Sandeep Lamichhane trapped Tom Banton leg-before while attempting a reverse sweep.

England accelerated strongly towards the end, scoring 45 runs in the final three overs, with Will Jacks blasting four sixes and a boundary during his unbeaten 39 off 18 balls.

Nepal Fans and Bowlers Shine Despite Loss

Supporters wearing Nepal’s blue and red colours filled the stadium and cheered every dot ball and fielding effort from their players at the historic venue.

The overwhelming presence of Nepal fans reflected the country’s growing cricketing passion, and the team repaid the support with a spirited performance.

Nepal’s fielders held their nerve under pressure, while Airee (2/23) and Yadav (2/25) picked up two wickets each. Malla and Lamichhane also contributed with crucial breakthroughs.

(With PTI Inputs)