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England
Nepal
England and Nepal will meet in Match 5 of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. This Group C clash will see Harry Brook leading England, while Rohit Paudel will captain Nepal. England will enter the match with strong momentum after a 3-0 T20I series win against Sri Lanka.
Their recent form will show consistency, with 4 wins and a no-result in their last 5 matches. Nepal will also arrive with confidence after winning all 5 of their recent T20Is, including a warm-up victory against the UAE.
This will be the first-ever meeting between England and Nepal in international cricket. The Wankhede surface will favour aggressive batting, which will suit Englandβs deep batting lineup and experienced power-hitters. Nepal will rely on disciplined bowling and partnerships to stay competitive. England will start as clear favourites based on squad depth, experience in high-pressure matches and recent performances against top-tier teams.
Englandβs aggressive top order of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler will likely attack from the start against a less experienced bowling attack, making a strong powerplay scoring rate expected.
The betting tip is...
England Over 41.5 runs - After 6 Overs
69 %
31 %
EnglandNepalPhil Salt leads the batting charts with 394 runs in 9 matches at an average of 56.29 and a SR of 173.56, showing his aggressive intent in the powerplay. Jos Buttler will add experience in the top order, scoring 250 runs in 10 matches at a SRof 177.3. Brook will also be a key batter. Adil Rashid will remain the key wicket-taking option with 15 wickets in 8 matches at an economy rate of 7.93.
Liam Dawson will provide balance with 11 wickets in 8 matches while maintaining an economy of 8.48. Jofra Archer will strengthen the pace attack after returning during the SL series. England will also depend on spin depth through Rashid, Dawson and Will Jacks to control the middle overs. Archer, Overton and Curran will form the pace unit of the team.
Salt, Buttler and Brook are the key batters in the team.
Predicted Lineup: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid.
Kushal Bhurtel will lead the batting unit with 509 runs in 16 T20I innings at an average of 31.81, while Aasif Sheikh will add stability with 394 runs in 13 innings at an average of 32.83 and a strike rate of 135.92. Rohit Paudel will contribute as captain with 327 runs in 16 innings.
Dipendra Singh Airee will remain an important middle-order batter. Sandeep Lamichhane will lead the bowling attack after taking 13 wickets in 7 matches at an economy of 5.32, and he will be supported by Nandan Yadav, who has 15 wickets in 12 innings and Lalit Rajbanshi with 15 wickets in 14 innings. Nepalβs balance will depend on spin control and disciplined bowling phases.
Bhurtel, Sheikh and Paudel are the key batters in the team.
Predicted Lineup: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Nandan Yadav, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi.
England will start as strong favourites based on squad depth and overall experience. Their aggressive top order will look to attack early, especially on a Wankhede pitch that usually supports stroke play during the power play. Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Harry Brook will aim to maximise the first six overs by playing attacking cricket against a bowling unit that has limited exposure against top-tier teams.
Nepalβs spinners may control the middle overs,s but the early phase will likely belong to England due to their intent and boundary-hitting ability. If England gets a stable start without early wickets, a quick scoring rate in the powerplay will be expected and could set the tone for the rest of the innings. England will win the match comfortably.
