Mumbai: Jacob Bethell and captain Harry Brook struck fluent half-centuries as England set a challenging 185-run target against Nepal in their Group C opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Opting to bat first, the two-time world champions posted 184-7 at Wankhede stadium that witnessed thousands of Nepali supporters clad in the national team’s jersey.

Bethell scored a brisk 55 off 35 balls, while Brook followed with a quickfire 53 off 32.

England were reduced to 57-3 early, but Bethell and Brook steadied the innings with a crucial 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Bethell struck four boundaries and four sixes before being caught by Lokesh Bam off Dipendra Singh Airee in the 14th over.

Brook hit four fours and three sixes before Nandan Yadav had him caught by Sher Malla. In the lower middle order, Will Jacks made a valuable contribution with an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls, including one boundary and four sixes. Jacks hammered three sixes in the final over bowled by Karan, as England collected 21 runs from the last over.

Earlier, debutant Sher Malla enjoyed a dream start, claiming a wicket with his very first delivery by dismissing opener Phil Salt for one, caught by Sandeep Lamichhane.

Jos Buttler was the second wicket to fall, scoring 26 off 17 balls before being caught behind by wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh off Nandan Yadav.

For Nepal, Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav picked up two wickets each, while Sher Malla and Sandeep Lamichhane claimed one apiece.