Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal suffered a narrow four-run defeat against England in their first group stage fixture in Mumbai on Sunday.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, England scored 184 runs for the loss of seven wickets as Jacob Bethell and Captain Harry Brook struck half-centuries.
Although England lost opener Phil Salt (1) in the second over, Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell steadied in the innings. Buttler scored 26 off 17 balls, while Bethell scored a 35-ball 55. Nepal kept taking wickets at regular intervals, removing Tom Banton and Sam Curran for two each. However, Harry Brook struck 53 off 3 balls, and Will Jacks scored a not-out 39 off 18 balls to take England past 180 runs.
Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav claimed two wickets each for Nepal, while debutant Sher Malal and Sandeep Lamichhane picked up a wicket each.
Although Nepal lost opener Aasif Sheikh (7) cheaply in the chase, other opener Kushal Bhurtel and Captain Rohit Paudel steadied the innings. After Bhurtel departed, scoring 29 off 17 balls, Paudel formed an 82-run partnership with Dipendra Singh Airee to keep Nepal firmly in the chase. Paudel scored 39 off 34 balls, while Airee made a quickfire 44 off 29 balls.
Nepal were on the cusp of a famous victory, needing 10 off six balls. However, Sam Curran bowled a super spell, giving just five runs. Lokesh Bam remained unbeaten at 39 off 20 balls.
Liam Dawson claimed two wickets for England, while Luke Wood, Jofra Archer, Will Jacks and Sam Curran had one each.
Nepal will meet Italy in their second group stage match on Thursday.
