England Beat Nepal By Narrow Margin In Last-Over T20 World Cup Clash
Nepal push England to the brink in a last-over thriller but fall short of a historic T20 World Cup upset.
Nepal came agonizingly close to pulling off one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history but fell short against England in a nail-biting encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday. The underdogs held their nerve for much of the match, only to lose in the final over, leaving fans around the world stunned.
Batting first, England set a challenging total of 167/6, with a well-paced innings led by their middle-order stalwarts. Nepal’s bowlers showed moments of brilliance, particularly their spin duo, who managed to keep the English scoring in check during crucial phases. However, England’s late acceleration ensured the score remained competitive.
Nepal’s chase began with promise as their openers put together a steady partnership, showcasing disciplined stroke play and innovative running between the wickets. By the 17th over, Nepal needed 20 runs from 18 balls, and the atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with supporters sensing a historic victory on the cards.
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The drama escalated in the 20th over when Nepal required just six runs from the final three balls. A mix of nerveless hitting and some misfortune saw England’s bowler execute a perfect yorker to snatch victory from Nepal’s grasp. The final score read 165/8, leaving Nepal to rue missed opportunities and tight fielding lapses.
Despite the loss, Nepal’s performance drew praise from cricketing pundits worldwide. Their ability to challenge a top-tier team like England highlighted the rapid progress of cricket in the Himalayan nation and gave their fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic about future tournaments.
England, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief, escaping what could have been a sensational upset. The win keeps their T20 World Cup campaign on track and reinforces their reputation as a side capable of handling pressure in crunch moments.
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