England narrowly avoided a major upset against Nepal in their T20 World Cup opener, winning by four runs in a last-ball thriller at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Nepal's fearless batting, particularly their assault on veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid, proved they are genuine contenders rather than tournament makeweights. The Associate nation's aggressive approach and sharp fielding showcased their credentials for a Super 8s spot.

Nepal's batsmen, led by captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee, dismantled Rashid with reverse sweeps and powerful hitting, scoring 42 runs off his three overs at an economy rate of 14. England's captain Harry Brook acknowledged the challenge, noting that few teams have taken down Rashid the way Nepal did. The pressure mounted as Nepal needed 10 runs from the final over, but death bowler Sam Curran held his nerve, conceding only five runs to secure the win.

England's victory, their 12th in 13 completed T20 matches, came despite shaky moments with both bat and ball. Will Jacks' late hitting and Jacob Bethell's aggressive batting provided crucial runs, while Curran's yorkers in the final over proved decisive. The match highlighted the growing competitiveness of the tournament, with Nepal's performance serving as a warning to other teams.

This narrow escape should sharpen England ahead of upcoming group matches against West Indies, Scotland, and Italy. While the win keeps their Super 8s hopes alive, Nepal's fearless display suggests they could still advance from Group C, having previously beaten West Indies in a T20 series last year.