England fought from the brink to avoid a major shock and beat an inspired Nepal by four runs in their opening match of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai.
A month on from the conclusion of their Ashes defeat, England needed Sam Curran to defend 10 from the last over to deny Nepal the biggest win in their cricketing history and save his side from more misery.
The brilliant Lokesh Bam needed to hit the last ball for six to secure victory but only managed one.
Lokesh, who finished on 39 not out from 20 balls, dropped to his haunches at the finish as England’s shook his hand to congratulate his efforts.
He had looked to be taking his side to victory when he struck two sixes to take Jofra Archer for 22 in the 18th over before striking Luke Wood for another two fours in the 19th.
But England hung on – the recently-recalled Curran finding yorkers under pressure at the death.
It means head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Harry Brook begin their World Cup without the ignominy of overseeing one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
They have three days before their next match against West Indies on Wednesday at the same ground.
England’s relief was obvious at the end. There was no wild celebration. They had pulled it back from the brink.
Despite all that has happened this winter, they come into this World Cup among the favourites having won 10 of their past 11 T20s.
Had Curran not salvaged the victory, everything – McCullum’s future in particular – would have come under the microscope again.
That is pushed back for another day. England must also be praised for not wilting where other England sides have before.
Praise must also go to Will Jacks, who struck three important sixes at the death in England’s 184-7, and Liam Dawson, who took 2-21 from his four overs in his first World Cup match aged 35.
