KATHMANDU, Feb 8: Nepal narrowly missed a historic victory, losing to England by four runs in a Group C match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Chasing a target of 185, Nepal scored 182 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Dipendra Singh Airee made 44, captain Rohit Paudel scored 39, opener Kushal Bhurtel added 29 and Aasif Sheikh contributed 7.
Sam Curran and Will Jacks took wickets for England.
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Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, England posted 184 for 7. Jacob Bethell struck 55, while captain Harry Brook scored 53 off 32 balls.
For Nepal, Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav took two wickets each, while Sher Malla, Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC claimed one apiece.
Nepal began the chase strongly, reaching 31 without loss in three overs before Liam Dawson dismissed Aasif Sheikh and Will Jacks removed Kushal Bhurtel. At the end of the powerplay Nepal were 47 for 2, with Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee adding an 82-run partnership before Sam Curran removed Airee and Dawson dismissed Paudel in the next over.
Lokesh Bam kept the chase alive with boundaries as Nepal required 24 runs off the final two overs.
Earlier in England’s innings, Sher Malla dismissed Phil Salt early, while Nandan Yadav removed Jos Buttler after a 38-run stand with Jacob Bethell. England were 57 for 1 in the powerplay before Sandeep Lamichhane trapped Tom Banton lbw immediately after.
Bethell and Harry Brook then shared a 71-run partnership; Bethell made 55 before falling to Airee and Brook followed after reaching 53. Will Jacks’ unbeaten 39 off 18 balls pushed England to 184.
