England's Batting Struggles
England's innings began on a shaky note, with openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler departing early, putting them in a precarious position at 57-3 within the first
seven overs. The Wankhede Stadium pitch proved challenging for shot-making, and several English batters found it difficult to score freely. However, a vital partnership between Jacob Bethell, who played with confidence and reached a quick half-century, and captain Harry Brook helped stabilize the innings. Their 71-run collaboration, forged over 45 balls, rebuilt England's momentum. Bethell's aggressive approach, including two sixes off Kushal Bhurtel to reach his fifty, was crucial, though he was dismissed shortly after. Brook also achieved his half-century but was caught at deep point soon after. The late surge from Will Jacks, who smashed an unbeaten 39 off just 18 deliveries including three sixes in the final over, propelled England to a competitive total of 184-7.
Nepal's Courageous Chase
Chasing 185, Nepal's pursuit began with an immediate setback as Sher Malla took a wicket on his World Cup debut. Opener Kushal Bhurtel provided a spirited start with 29 runs, hitting four boundaries and a six, but his dismissal, a soft return catch to Will Jacks, halted their early charge. The game truly ignited with a remarkable 82-run partnership between Dipendra Singh Airee, who scored a valuable 44, and captain Rohit Paudel, who contributed 39. They kept Nepal firmly in contention, demonstrating their capability to challenge England's bowling attack. Sam Curran eventually provided a breakthrough by having Airee caught in the deep, and Paudel's departure soon after increased England's hopes. However, Lokesh Bam kept Nepal's dream alive with a blistering unbeaten 39 off 20 balls, including two sixes off Jofra Archer, bringing the equation down to just 10 runs needed off the final over.
Nail-Biting Finish
The closing moments of the match were filled with incredible tension as Nepal, needing 10 runs from the final six balls delivered by Sam Curran, inched closer to an unprecedented victory. Lokesh Bam was at the crease, and the required run rate was manageable, making the outcome uncertain until the very last delivery. Bam's aggressive hitting kept Nepal's hopes alive, creating a scenario where a boundary on the final ball could have sealed a historic win. However, despite his valiant effort, he could only manage a single off the last ball. This slight miss meant Nepal finished agon180-6, just four runs shy of England's total. The English camp breathed a collective sigh of relief, having narrowly avoided a stunning upset against a spirited and determined Nepali side that had fought valiantly throughout the match.
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