WARWICKSHIRE’S Jacob Bethell blasted a half-century to help England avoid a shock defeat against Nepal in their T20 World Cup opener.
Bethell top scored for England with 55 runs from 35 deliveries to help his country close on 184-7 at the end of their 20 overs.
However, minnows Nepal pushed England all the way and took the game to the last delivery of the match.
Nepal needed 10 runs from the final over only for Sam Curran to limit them to four runs from the first five deliveries.
Curran conceded a single from the final ball as England claimed a four-run victory to avoid a potentially embarrassing start to the tournament in Mumbai, India.
England batted first and reached 57-3 before Bethell and Harry Brook (53) combined for a 71-run partnership.
Bethell blasted four fours and four sixes before he eventually fell to the bowling of Dipendra Singh Airee (2-23)
And Will Jacks (39) chipped in with a useful 18-ball knock to propel England past the 180-run mark.
Nepal responded well with the bat as Singh Airee (44), Lokesh Bam (39 not out) and Rohit Paudel (39) put Nepal in contention for a shock victory.
However, England survived an almighty scare to claim a four-run victory in their World Cup opener.
