Overview:
England are expected to have the upper hand in this match, with a squad brimming with match-winning talent across the board.
England‘s World Cup opener on February 8 will be held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where they will lock horns with Nepal.
England arrive at the T20 World Cup on the back of a commanding 2-1 series win in ODIs and a 3-0 clean sweep in the T20Is against Sri Lanka.It’s also a new chapter for the team under the leadership of Harry Brook.
Nepal head into their World Cup clash with England on the back of two warm-up victories over Canada and the UAE. With confidence high, they’ll be aiming to give the favourites a tough fight.
ENG vs NEP Match details
| Fixture | ENG vs NEP: 5th Match,T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | February 8th, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Time | 3:00 PM IST |
| Toss time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Ground | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
ENG vs NEP head-to-head records in T20I
England and Nepal have never played against each other in an ICC T20 World Cup, nor have they ever locked horns in T20 cricket outside of it.
Pitch Report
Wankhede’s pitch is a known haven for batters, providing the perfect conditions to rack up big scores in T20s. The high bounce and pace ensure the ball comes onto the bat nicely, while the short boundaries make it easier to clear the ropes. While pacers can expect to get some swing early in the innings, spinners might see some turn in the middle overs. The average first innings total at this venue typically ranges between 170-180.
ENG vs NEP Probable Best Performers
Key batter to watch out for: Phil Salt
Phil Salt is one of the most dynamic players in England’s T20I squad, capable of launching an onslaught from the very first delivery. With 48 innings under his belt, he has racked up 1587 runs and four centuries. Given his blistering recent form, Salt is a batter that can turn the game in an instant, making him one to keep an eye on.
Key bowler to watch out for: Adil Rashid
Adil Rashid could prove to be the game-changer in this contest. With 150 wickets in 137 T20I matches, his leg-spin has been a vital part of England’s bowling attack. Rashid’s skill with the ball will be pivotal in troubling Nepal’s batting line-up.
ENG vs NEP Match Prediction ICC T20 World Cup 2026
England are expected to have the upper hand in this match, with a squad brimming with match-winning talent across the board. Nepal’s inexperience against top-tier teams might be a stumbling block, even though they have a capable side.
ENG vs NEP Probable XIs
England: Phil Salt (wk), Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.
Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Lokesh Bam, Nandan Yadav, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane.