Opting to bat first against Nepal in their ICC T20 World Cup encounter, England posted a solid 57/2 in the opening six overs.
The innings started brightly as Jos Buttler found a boundary in the very first over and showed his intent to take the lead early. However, Phil Salt did not make it and fell cheaply for just 1, leaving England with an early wicket.
Jacob Bethell then attacked the bowlers, clearing the boundary with a towering six and following it up with some crisp fours, adding momentum to England’s innings. Buttler continued to find the gaps with ease, looking in control as he piled on the runs and kept the score ticking.
Nepal’s Nandan Yadav struck in his first over and dismissed Buttler for 26, a crucial breakthrough that halted England’s progress for a while. However, the home side responded well, with Sher Malla finishing sixth for just 13 runs, helping England maintain a competitive run rate in the powerplay.
With four overs gone and 57 runs on board for the loss of two wickets, England laid the foundation for a strong total. Bethell’s attacking intent and the depth of England’s batting line-up mean Nepal will need early breakthroughs to stay in the contest.
