Mumbai, February 8 Two-time champions England narrowly defeated Nepal in their Group C match of the T20 World Cup, winning by four runs in a tense finish.
Nepal came close to upsetting a strong England side, scoring 180/6 in response to England's 184/7.
Lokesh Bam (39 off 20 balls) kept Nepal in the game, but they couldn't finish it in the final over.
Despite needing only 10 runs, Nepal couldn't find a boundary, and Sam Curran bowled effectively, only allowing five runs.
More than 17,000 fans watched at the Wankhede Stadium, witnessing Nepal's impressive performance, with the majority coming from the Himalayan nation.
Captain Rohit Paudel (39), Dipendra Singh Airee (39), Kushal Bhurtel (29), and Lokesh, who hit four boundaries and two sixes, all contributed significantly, but they couldn't secure the win.
Lokesh was particularly crucial, hitting two sixes off Jofra Archer's 18th over and two consecutive fours off Luke Wood's penultimate over when 46 runs were needed from the last three overs.
Bhurtel and Paudel had already established a strong partnership, with Bhurtel scoring 29 off 17 balls and Paudel contributing 39.
However, Bhurtel was caught by Will Jacks in the sixth over after a promising start.
Nepal's chase got a boost in the 14th over when Paudel hit a six and four against Rashid Khan.
Paudel then hit a perfect switch-hit, clearing the fielder at deep square leg.
However, a drinks break broke the momentum, and Airee mis-hit a ball off Sam Curran in the 15th over.
Paudel was then dismissed by Liam Dawson, just after he had contributed to a strong Nepal innings.
Earlier, Jacob Bethell (55) and Harry Brook (53) had helped England reach 184/7.
Bethell's rapid half-century, off 35 balls, with four sixes and as many fours, was a highlight. Brook also contributed, aiming to change his narrative.
Brook's vital knock, off 32 balls with four sixes and three fours, helped form a 71-run partnership with Bethell.
Phil Salt (1) was caught by Sher Malla on the first ball of his second over, and Jos Buttler (26) was caught behind by Nandan Yadav in the fifth over.
Spinner Sandeep Lamichhane also took two wickets, including Tom Banton.
England finished strong, with Will Jacks hitting four sixes and a four in the final three overs, scoring 39 off 18 balls.
The fans, wearing blue and red jerseys, cheered their team throughout the match.
The large number of Nepal fans showed their passion for cricket in the Himalayan nation, and their players did not disappoint.
Nepal fielders held onto their catches, and Airee and Yadav each took two wickets. Malla and Lamichhane also contributed with wickets.