England will begin their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a Group C match against Nepal on February 8 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The match will start at 3:00 PM IST.
This contest brings together a powerful England side and an ambitious Nepal team that qualified impressively. While England enter as strong favourites, Nepal will look to play fearless cricket with nothing to lose.
Match Overview
| Match | England vs Nepal |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match No. | 5 |
| Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Time | 3:00 PM IST |
| Group | Group C |
Wankhede is known for high-scoring games, which suits England’s aggressive batting approach.
England Playing XI vs Nepal – Match 5
| Batting Order | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Salt (wk) |
| 2 | Jos Buttler |
| 3 | Will Jacks |
| 4 | Harry Brook (c) |
| 5 | Jacob Bethell |
| 6 | Tom Banton |
| 7 | Sam Curran |
| 8 | Liam Dawson |
| 9 | Adil Rashid |
| 10 | Jofra Archer |
| 11 | Luke Wood |
Top Order: Salt and Buttler to Attack Early
Phil Salt
Phil Salt will open the innings and also keep wickets. He is known for aggressive powerplay batting and can put bowlers under pressure from the start.
Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler will partner Salt at the top. His experience and ability to dominate pace and spin make him a key player.
Will Jacks at No.3
Will Jacks adds stability and attacking intent. He plays spin well and can accelerate when required.
Middle Order: Captain Brook Leads the Core
Harry Brook (Captain)
Harry Brook will bat at No.4. He is England’s main anchor and aggressor in the middle overs.
Supporting Batters
- Jacob Bethell – Flexible all-round option
- Tom Banton – Dangerous finisher with power-hitting ability
- Sam Curran – Provides balance with both bat and left-arm pace
This middle order gives England depth and multiple match-winning options.
Bowling Attack: Pace and Spin Combination
Spin Department
| Spinner | Role |
|---|---|
| Liam Dawson | Control in middle overs, handy lower-order runs |
| Adil Rashid | Main wicket-taking spinner with variations |
Adil Rashid will be crucial against a team that can struggle against quality spin.
Pace Attack
| Bowler | Strength |
|---|---|
| Jofra Archer | Speed, bounce, wicket-taking ability |
| Luke Wood | Left-arm pace and aggression |
Jofra Archer will lead the attack and could be a major threat at Wankhede.
England’s Strategy for the Match
- Attack from the powerplay with Salt and Buttler
- Use Brook to control the middle overs
- Apply pressure with spin in middle phase
- Finish strongly with Archer and Wood
A strong performance here will help England build momentum for the rest of the tournament.
Nepal’s Challenge
Nepal come into the tournament after a strong qualification campaign. They will rely on fearless cricket and energy, but facing England’s depth and experience at a batting-friendly venue will be a tough test.
England start the tournament as one of the title contenders, and this balanced Playing XI shows their strength in both batting and bowling. If their aggressive top order fires, England could dominate early and send a strong message to other teams in the T20 World Cup 2026.
