England vs Nepal lights up the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday as the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 explodes into action. Harry Brook’s England T20 World Cup team hunt a record third title against tournament debutants in Group C.
England vs Nepal tickets sold rapidly for this Mumbai showdown, where the two-time champions face their first T20 World Cup 2026 test. Nepal qualified through the Asia-Pacific route, earning their shot against English giants fresh from demolishing Sri Lanka 3-0. The England vs Nepal clash starts at 3:00 PM IST, with Sky Sports delivering live coverage across the UK.
Brook’s captaincy transformed England’s white-ball fortunes since April 2025, winning 10 of 11 completed matches. Nepal brings a dangerous form after crushing the UAE and Canada in warm-ups. Phil Salt recovered from back spasms to open alongside Jos Buttler, while Sandeep Lamichhane leads Nepal’s spin attack with 129 T20I wickets.
The Wankhede pitch favors aggressive batting, making England overwhelming favorites. Adil Rashid’s 150 T20I wickets provide crucial experience as both teams battle for Super 8 qualification in this opening Group C encounter.
Table of Contents
Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report
The Wankhede Stadium delivers a batting feast under lights. Historical data shows 175-run average innings during T20 World Cup encounters. The pitch offers true bounce with minimal seam movement early on. Short boundaries measuring 60-65 meters amplify six-hitting opportunities.
Spinners gain assistance after the 10-over mark as the surface dries. England faced contrasting results here in 2016, losing to the West Indies before defeating South Africa. The toss carries massive weight, with captains overwhelmingly choosing to bowl first. Teams batting second won 68% of matches here across the last three seasons.
England’s Dominant White-Ball Form Under Harry Brook
Brook revolutionized England’s limited-overs cricket since assuming captaincy. His 10 victories from 11 T20 matches showcase tactical brilliance and aggressive intent. The Sri Lanka whitewash buried memories of the Ashes disaster, with England chasing totals ruthlessly. Phil Salt returns after missing Tuesday’s final match due to back spasms.
Jofra Archer sat out that game strategically, preserving fitness for this tournament opener. Sam Curran delivered a hat-trick and fifty against Sri Lanka, proving devastating all-round value. Jos Buttler brings 1,013 T20 World Cup runs at 42.20 across 35 matches. Adil Rashid claimed his 150th T20I wicket recently, reaching 31 World Cup scalps at 23.67.
Nepal’s Qualification Journey and Recent Form
Nepal dominated the Asia-Pacific Regional Final with seven consecutive victories. They qualified alongside Oman and the UAE, showcasing consistent excellence throughout the tournament. Warm-up victories over the UAE by seven wickets and Canada by six wickets built crucial momentum. Aasif Sheikh hammered 58 off just 29 balls against Canada, signaling dangerous form with the bat.
Captain Rohit Paudel enters his second World Cup campaign, having led Nepal in 2024. Bangladesh’s withdrawal handed Nepal a lifeline, replacing them with Scotland as potentially beatable opposition. Kushal Bhurtel anchors the batting with 1,807 T20I runs at 29.14 average. Sandeep Lamichhane spearheads bowling with 129 wickets at an exceptional 12.05 economy.
England vs Nepal Probable Playing XI: Predicted Lineups
England Probable XI:
- Phil Salt (wk) – Opening batsman returns from back injury
- Jos Buttler (wk) – Veteran opener with 1,013 World Cup runs
- Will Jacks – Explosive middle-order batsman and off-spinner
- Harry Brook (c) – Captain bats at number four
- Tom Banton – Power-hitter strengthens the middle order
- Jacob Bethell – Emerging all-rounder adds depth
- Sam Curran – Left-arm seamer fresh from hat-trick heroics
- Jamie Overton – Pace bowling option provides variety
- Liam Dawson – Left-arm spinner for middle-overs control
- Jofra Archer – Express pace bowler if declared fit
- Adil Rashid – Lead spinner with 150 T20I wickets
Nepal Probable XI:
- Kushal Bhurtel – Top-order anchor with 1,807 T20I runs
- Aasif Sheikh (wk) – Wicketkeeper-batsman in red-hot form
- Rohit Paudel (c) – Captain bats in crucial number three position
- Dipendra Singh Airee – All-rounder provides batting and bowling balance
- Sundeep Jora – Middle-order batsman strengthens lineup.
- Aarif Sheikh – Lower-order power-hitter accelerates scoring.
- Gulshan Jha – Seam bowling all-rounder adds depth
- Lokesh Bam – Pace bowler targets new-ball wickets
- Sompal Kami – Experienced seamer leads the attack.
- Nandan Yadav – Spin option for middle overs
- Sandeep Lamichhane – Star leg-spinner with 129 T20I wickets
Where England Dominates and Nepal Can Surprise
England deploy power-hitting throughout their entire batting order against Nepal’s spin-reliant attack. The powerplay phase becomes critical, with England targeting 65-plus runs in six overs. Brook employs aggressive field settings, pressuring opponents into mistakes through relentless attacking fields.
Nepal must restrict England below 165 to maintain realistic chasing hopes. Lamichhane’s googly and flipper variations could exploit England’s occasional struggles against quality leg-spin. The middle overs between 7-15 decide England’s final total, where Rashid and Curran accelerate mercilessly.
Nepal’s field placements need perfection to compensate for experience deficits against seasoned campaigners. Paudel’s conservative captaincy contrasts sharply with Brook’s ultra-aggressive approach, creating fascinating strategic chess.
Key Player Battles That Will Decide This Contest
Opening Powerplay Duel:
- Phil Salt versus Sandeep Lamichhane shapes the first six overs. Salt seeks runs after his injury layoff, while Lamichhane hunts early wickets to restrict England’s explosive start.
Captaincy Battle:
- Jos Buttler’s vast World Cup experience faces Rohit Paudel’s emerging leadership. Buttler’s tactical nous and 1,013 World Cup runs contrast with Paudel’s conservative approach.
Spin Versus Stroke-Play:
- Adil Rashid’s crafty variations counter Aasif Sheikh’s recent purple patch. Rashid’s 31 World Cup wickets face Sheikh’s blistering 58 off 29 against Canada.
All-Round Impact:
- Sam Curran’s left-arm swing battles Dipendra Singh Airee’s dual threat. Curran’s recent hat-trick meets Airee’s responsibility with both bat and ball.
Youth Versus Experience:
- Jacob Bethell encounters his toughest examination against international-quality spin. The emerging talent faces Lamichhane’s franchise-honed variations.
Pace Threat:
- Jofra Archer’s raw speed threatens Nepal’s middle order if selected. His express pace could demolish Nepal’s batting lineup.
England vs Nepal Match Prediction
England enter as overwhelming favorites to secure their opening two points. Their batting depth stretches through position eight, overwhelming Nepal’s bowling resources completely. Phil Salt scoring 30-plus runs carries excellent value given his class and hunger for form. England winning by 60-plus runs reflects the realistic quality gap between these mismatched opponents.
Nepal might exceed modest expectations by restricting England below 180 on this batting-friendly surface. The match offers minimal upset potential but provides Nepal with invaluable experience against elite opposition. Backing England’s top three batters to score fifties presents value. Over 340 total match runs looks achievable given Wankhede’s batting paradise reputation.
How to Watch England vs Nepal T20 World Cup Live Coverage
Match Timings:
- Start time: 3:00 PM IST on Sunday, February 8, 2026
- UK viewers: 9:30 AM GMT
- Prime-time coverage across multiple global time zones
UK Broadcast Options:
- Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event for live television coverage
- NOW streaming platform for digital viewers
- Sky Go app for existing Sky subscribers
International Coverage:
- US audiences watch on Willow TV’s exclusive broadcast
- Indian viewers access Star Sports Network channels
- JioHotstar streaming for mobile and web viewers
Venue and Conditions:
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, hosts the encounter
- Weather forecast: Sunny conditions with 34°C temperatures
- Light winds are expected throughout the match
Ticketing Information:
- England vs Nepal tickets available through Book My Show
- Limited availability for this high-demand opener
What time is the England vs Nepal match?
The England vs Nepal T20 World Cup match starts at 3:00 PM IST (9:30 AM GMT) on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Where can I watch England vs Nepal in India?
Indian viewers can watch England vs Nepal live on Star Sports Network channels with streaming available on the JioHotstar app and website.
What is the pitch report for Wankhede Stadium?
The Wankhede Stadium pitch favors batting with true bounce, short boundaries, and minimal seam movement. Teams batting second winning 68% of recent matches.
Who will win the England vs Nepal T20 World Cup match?
England are overwhelming favorites given their superior batting depth, recent 3-0 Sri Lanka series win, and Harry Brook’s exceptional captaincy record of 10 wins from 11 T20 matches.
Stay tuned with Sports Dribble and its Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts for updates!
My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.