T20 World Cup: England survive Nepal scare in final-ball thriller

England fought back from the brink to avoid a major shock, defeating an inspired Nepal by four runs in the opening match of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai.

A month after the Ashes defeat ended, England needed Sam Curran to defend the 10th over to prevent Nepal from claiming the biggest win in cricket history and save his side from further misery.

The great Lokesh Bam needed to hit the final ball for six overs to secure victory but managed only one.

Lokesh, who finished 39 off 20 balls, got down on his knees at the finish as he shook England’s hand and congratulated them on their efforts.

He looked set to lead his side to victory when he hit two sixes to bowl out Jofra Archer for 22 in the 18th over, while hitting two more fours off Luke Wood in the 19th over.

But England held out; Curran, recently recalled, realized that the Yorkists were under pressure in the face of death.

It means head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Harry Brook will start the World Cup without the ignominy of overseeing one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

They have three days until their next match against the West Indies at the same venue on Wednesday.

In the end, it was obvious that England was relieved. There was no wild celebration. They had pulled him back from the edge of the cliff.

Despite everything that has happened this winter, they come into this World Cup as favorites having won 10 of the last 11 T20s.

Had Curran not been able to save the victory, everything would have come under the spotlight again, especially McCullum’s future.

This has been postponed for another day. England must also be praised for not wilting like other England teams have before.

Praise must also go to Will Jacks, who hit three crucial sixes in England’s 184-7 rout, and to Liam Dawson, who took 2-21 from four overs in his first World Cup match at the age of 35.