ENG vs NEP | England survive major opening scare against belligerent Nepal in last-ball thriller

Opting to bat first, England got off to a terrible start when debutant Shera Malla of Nepal Premier League flaim claimed the wicket of Phil Salt with the first ball of his international career. However, Jacob Bethell immediately flipped the momentum with two boundaries and a six the very same over, before Jos Buttler joined the act with a spree of boundaries himself. The veteran was cruising along on 26 off just 17 when an expansive cut shot saw him nick behind off Nandan Yadav in the penultimate over of the powerplay, albeit Bethell's continuing fireworks took the team to 57/2 at the end of six. The spread of field brought with it the introduction of Sandeep Lamichhane, and the former prodigy struck first ball to send Tom Banton packing for cheap. Just two boundaries came off the next five overs but some good running kept England's run-rate afloat while Harry Brook got attuned to the conditions. However, Bethell was not one to keep quiet for long as he decided to target Kushal Bhurtel and duly dispatched him for back-to-back maximums to bring up a 28-ball half-century. It was enough to inspire Brook to switch gears to, the skipper taking on Lamichhane with a four and a maximum to seize control of proceedings. The stand had thus grown to 71 in just 43 deliveries when Dipendra Singh Airee finally sent Bethell hauling back to the dugout after he was caught in the deep, ending a 35-ball stay for 55. Sam Curran followed soon after for a sluggish eight-ball knock worth just two runs before Lamichhane capped off his quota with a single-run 17th over to place England under the pump. Will Jacks released some pressure with his first six of the game in the over that followed, foreshadowing Brook bringing up a 31-ball half-century in similar fashion soon after. However, the captain departed very next ball trying to add to his 53 runs, leaving the onus on Jacks to provide them a final flourish. The all-rounder was up to the task as he slammed KC Karan for three maximums in the final over of the innings to take the English to competitive score of 184/6 in their 20 overs.

In response, Nepal walked out brimming with intent as Bhurtel made up for his expensive spell with three boundaries in Jofra Archer's first over before slamming Luke Wood for a four and a six after a two-run opening effort from the quick. Brook responded by bringing on spin early in the form of Liam Dawson and the move paid dividends as he took just four balls to send Aasif Sheikh. Buoyed by the success, Brook used Jacks to cap off the powerplay and this time the offie took just two deliveries to take a simple return catch off Bhurtel, leaving Nepal reeling at 47/2 after six. Nevertheless, Dipendra Singh Airee and Rohit Paudel made sure they did not let the bowlers settle, scoring 13 in Adil Rashid's first over before smashing Jacks for two boundaries in his second over. Even so, Dawson continued to be miserly, conceding just 11 in his two overs albeit the bowlers around him kept getting hit for boundaries. Rashid fared the worst of the lot, conceding two maximums and a boundary in a 19-run over just before drinks to bring the equation down to 62 required off the final six overs. Curran finally broke the 82-run stand two balls after resumption of play as Airee holed out for 29-ball 44, and Dawson handed England complete control with the wicket of Paudel for 39 in the over that followed. However, new-batter in Lokesh Bam signalled a statement of intent with back-to-back boundaries in the 17th, and then cleared the ropes twice against Archer to add to Aarif Sheikh's six earlier in the over. Suddenly, the requirement read a much feasible 24 off 12, which whittled down further to 10 off the last over with two boundaries for Bam off Wood. Curran was tasked with the defence for England and began brilliantly with a dot before two singles brought Bam back on strike with eight needed in three. Bam flicked him away for a quick two to take Nepal within a hit of victory, and then denied a single to leave himself a maximum to get on the final ball. Curran nailed another yorker to cap off a brilliant final over, and secure victory by four runs.

Well played NEP

Thrilling match!

Yes!

100%

Hard luck

Lokesh!!!

Excelent fight!

Yeah

yes!