England will kick them ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 The campaign begins with Sunday afternoon’s clash against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, aiming to make a strong start to the tournament.
England are expected to adopt an aggressive approach from ball one, with a clear plan to put Nepal under pressure early on. Their batting line-up is full of firepower and players like Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Harry Brook are capable of changing the course of the game in just a few overs. With their naturally high strike rate, England will favor themselves to chase a big target or set, especially on a batting-friendly surface like Wankhede. That said, they will have to show discipline against Nepal’s spinners, ensuring they build a solid base before getting into top gear.
On the bowling front, England have a settled and experienced attack that understands the nuances of the Wankhede pitch. While the venue is known for high scores, it can also provide support to the spinners in the middle overs. England likely to lean on Adil Rashid Liam Dawson During this phase, use your control and wicket-taking ability to slow down the scoring and create pressure.
Meanwhile, Nepal are entering the competition as the underdogs but with enough motivation to prove their progress on the big stage. He has made steady progress in T20 cricket over the last two years and cannot be taken lightly. Their batsmen, although less experienced in ICC events, can enjoy flat conditions if they hold on. On the bowling front, Nepal’s best chance is to attack quickly and disrupt England’s powerful top order before they lose the game.
ENG vs NEP, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details
- date and time: 8 February; 3:00 PM IST / 9:30 AM GMT
- venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
England vs NEP, head-to-head record in T20Is
This will be the first battle between the two teams in the shortest format of the game.
Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report
The Wankhede Stadium is known as a dream venue for batsmen, due to its genuine bounce and surface which allows the ball to come onto the bat well. Initially, fast bowlers may get a little swing and seam from the new ball, especially in fresh conditions, but that assistance usually fades as the innings progress. Once the pitch is settled, it becomes much easier to place the stroke.
With its short boundaries and flat track, the venue can give Nepal’s batsmen the confidence to face England’s pace attack and play their shots freely. Also, Wankhede is a perfect fit for England’s power-hitters, who thrive in such conditions and will be keen to work hard, score big and dominate early in the tournament.
squads
Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Asif Sheikh (wicketkeeper), Rohit Paudel (captain), Deependra Singh Airey, Arif Sheikh, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Jora, Karan KC, Gulsan Jha, Sandeep Lamichhane, Nandan Yadav, Baseer Ahmed, Lalit Rajbanshi, Lokesh Bam, Sher Malla.
England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Battell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood, Josh Tong, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Ben Duckett.
Also read: Faheem Ashraf’s explosive cameo helps Pakistan survive Netherlands scare in T20 World Cup 2026
England vs NEP, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s match prediction
Case 1:
- England won the toss and bowled first
- Nepal’s powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
- Nepal’s total score: 150-160
Case 2:
- Nepal won the toss and bowled first
- England’s powerplay score: 60-70 (6 overs)
- England’s total score: 200-210
Match Result: England will win the tournament.
