‘My heart was thumping’: Will Jacks admits nerves as England escape Nepal upset in T20 World Cup opener

Will Jacks was relieved as England sealed a narrow victory against Nepal in their T20 World Cup opener on Sunday.

Updated on: Feb 9, 2026, 06:16:06 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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England almost crashed to a shock defeat in their T20 World Cup opener against Nepal in Mumbai on Sunday. With Nepal needing 10 runs to win in the final over, Sam Curran managed to keep it tight as England avoided a huge upset. The all-rounder conceded only five runs, with Lokesh Bam (39*) and Karan KC (1*) failing to find any boundaries. England also had to put in a similar final over showing in the first innings, with Will Jacks taking on Karan.

WIth Nepal needing 10 runs, Sam Curran bowled the final over for England. (PTI)

Jacks smacked three sixes in the final over as England got to 184/7. Reacting after the win, Jacks said, "I was very nervous – extremely nervous. My heart was thumping. But I had confidence in Sam Curran. He’s defended situations like that before, and he did it brilliantly again today. His yorkers were excellent, and he executed under pressure."

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Chasing 185 runs, Nepal reached 180/6 in 20 overs. At one point, Nepal looked like they were on its way to a victory. After 14 overs, they stood at 123/2, with Dipendra Singh Airee and Rohit Paudel batting. The pair were taking on the opposition bowlers, and it looked like a match-winning partnership. But then in the 15th over, Curran dismissed Dipendra for 44 off 29 balls. In the next over, Liam Dawson dismissed Paudel for 39 off 34 balls.

‘Full credit to Nepal’

"I think full credit to Nepal. They were absolutely brilliant. We saw that this was tricky when we batted, but they played against us really very well and they really took us close there. They played brilliantly," said Jacks.

When asked about his final over blitz in the first innings, he said, "I saw they were debating."

"I think the helmet ran out and then ran off, so obviously in hindsight they might have done that, but all in all they were tactically very good. They've obviously pushed us right to the edge there. I think if the surfaces are going to continue to behave like that, then that's going to be crucial going forward," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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