England vs Nepal Prediction: Who Will Win ENG vs NEP 5th T20 Match on 8th February 2026?
The England vs Nepal prediction for the 5th T20 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 strongly favours England, but this contest still carries intrigue as an ambitious Nepal side tests itself against one of the strongest T20 teams in the world. Scheduled at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, this Group C fixture marks the opening match of the tournament for both teams. England enter the World Cup as one of the pre-tournament favourites, ranked third in the ICC T20I rankings, while Nepal arrive brimming with confidence after a flawless qualification campaign.
England’s recent form has been impressive. Series victories over New Zealand and Sri Lanka have reinforced their credentials as a complete T20 unit, boasting explosive batting, versatile all-rounders, and a seasoned bowling attack. Indian conditions, particularly at Wankhede, suit England’s aggressive brand of cricket, where true bounce and short boundaries reward power hitters. With players like Phil Salt and Jos Buttler capable of taking the game away in the powerplay, England will aim to dominate early and assert control.
Nepal, meanwhile, represent one of the most improved associate nations in world cricket. Winning all their matches in the Asia & EAP Qualifier has given them belief and momentum. While they remain clear underdogs, Nepal’s disciplined spin bowling and fearless batting approach could help them compete respectably. Players such as Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Singh Airee have the quality to trouble even elite opponents if conditions allow.
This match is also significant as it is the first-ever T20I meeting between England and Nepal. Experience versus ambition is the central theme. England will look for a commanding start to their World Cup campaign, while Nepal will focus on learning quickly and embracing the occasion. Below is a complete breakdown including team previews, fantasy tips, pitch and weather analysis, toss prediction, and the final match winner for ENG vs NEP.
- England begin their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign as clear favourites, backed by strong recent form and superior squad depth.
- Nepal qualified unbeaten through the Asia & EAP Qualifier and enter the tournament with confidence and momentum.
- Wankhede Stadium’s batting-friendly surface suits England’s power-packed lineup but also offers some assistance to spinners later.
- The contest pits England’s experience and firepower against Nepal’s discipline, spin strength, and fearless approach.
Match Details
| Match | England vs Nepal, 5th T20 |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, 8th February 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup |
Team Previews
England Preview
England enter the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as one of the most formidable teams in the competition. Ranked third in the ICC T20I rankings, England arrive with momentum following impressive series victories against New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Their squad reflects depth, flexibility, and proven match-winners across all departments, making them early favourites in Group C.
The batting unit is stacked with explosive talent. Phil Salt has been England’s standout performer in recent T20s, scoring 394 runs in just nine matches at an exceptional average of 56.29 and a strike rate of 173.56. His aggressive starts often set the tone. Jos Buttler, one of the most feared white-ball batters globally, adds further firepower with a strike rate consistently above 170. Ben Duckett and Will Jacks provide versatility at the top, capable of adapting to match situations.
England’s middle order is anchored by captain Harry Brook, whose calm leadership and range of strokes bring stability. Sam Curran’s presence as a seam-bowling all-rounder offers balance, while Liam Dawson adds spin control and depth with the bat. This flexibility allows England to adjust combinations based on pitch conditions.
Bowling remains a major strength. Adil Rashid continues to be England’s premier spinner, taking 15 wickets in his last eight matches while maintaining control in the middle overs. Jofra Archer’s express pace, supported by Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton, gives England wicket-taking options with the new ball and at the death. On batting-friendly surfaces like Wankhede, England’s ability to strike regularly with the ball becomes crucial.
England’s history at Wankhede has been mixed, but familiarity with Indian conditions gives them confidence. Overall, England’s superior experience, depth, and adaptability make them overwhelming favourites heading into this opening clash against Nepal.
Nepal Preview
Nepal arrive at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 riding high on confidence after a remarkable qualification campaign. Winning all their group and Super Six matches in the Asia & EAP Qualifier, Nepal showcased consistency, resilience, and tactical maturity. This World Cup marks another significant milestone in Nepal’s rise as a competitive associate nation.
The batting unit is led by Aasif Sheikh, who has been Nepal’s most reliable run-scorer. With 280 runs in nine matches at an average of 35 and a strike rate close to 136, Sheikh provides stability at the top. Kushal Bhurtel complements him with aggressive intent, capable of exploiting the powerplay. Captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee add experience and composure in the middle order, while Kushal Malla and Gulshan Jha offer finishing ability.
Nepal’s bowling attack is built around spin. Sandeep Lamichhane remains their biggest weapon, renowned worldwide for his control and wicket-taking ability. His economy of just over five runs per over highlights his effectiveness in T20 cricket. Lalit Rajbanshi provides valuable support as a left-arm spinner, while Karan KC and Sompal Kami handle pace duties with discipline.
Playing at Wankhede will be a new experience for Nepal, particularly against elite opposition like England. The true bounce and short boundaries will test their bowlers’ consistency. However, Nepal’s fearless approach and strong team unity could help them compete better than expected. While a win would be a massive upset, Nepal’s primary objective will be to gain experience and challenge England wherever possible.
Team Squads
England Squad:
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed, Luke Wood
Nepal Squad:
Aasif Sheikh (WK), Kushal Bhurtel, Rohit Paudel (C), Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Gulshan Jha, Aarif Sheikh, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Lokesh Bam, Basir Ahamad, Sher Malla, Nandan Yadav
Probable Playing XI
England: Phil Salt (WK), Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Harry Brook (C), Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
Nepal: Aasif Sheikh (WK), Kushal Bhurtel, Rohit Paudel (C), Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Gulshan Jha, Aarif Sheikh, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Sompal Kami
England vs Nepal Today’s Dream11/Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Batters | Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett, Aasif Sheikh |
| All-rounders | Sam Curran, Dipendra Singh Airee |
| Bowlers | Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Josh Tongue |
Wankhede Stadium is a high-scoring venue, making top-order batters essential fantasy picks. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler are prime choices due to their explosive powerplay scoring. Ben Duckett’s consistency adds stability. From Nepal, Aasif Sheikh is the safest batting option. Sam Curran provides dual value with bat and ball, while Dipendra Singh Airee contributes across departments. In bowling, Adil Rashid’s middle-over wickets and Jofra Archer’s pace make them valuable. Sandeep Lamichhane remains Nepal’s biggest fantasy asset.
Captain Choices: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler
Vice-Captain Choices: Sam Curran, Sandeep Lamichhane
Players to Avoid: Luke Wood, Sher Malla (limited impact expected)
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team in Today’s Match – England (Why?)
England are overwhelming favourites for today’s clash against Nepal due to their far superior experience, squad depth, and recent T20 form. As one of the top-ranked sides globally (ICC T20I Ranking #3), England boast elite match-winners in every department. Their batting lineup includes explosive openers and finishers like Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, capable of posting big totals at Wankhede Stadium. Additionally, England’s bowling unit — featuring Adil Rashid, Sam Curran, and Jofra Archer — offers variety and wicket-taking options across different phases of the innings.
In contrast, Nepal, while confident after an unbeaten qualification run, remain relatively inexperienced at major global events. Facing elite pace and spin on a renowned batting pitch will be a tough test. England’s familiarity with Indian conditions and their proven ability to adapt makes them the safer pick. For these reasons — squad quality, big-match experience, and batting firepower — England enter this match as clear favourites.
England T20 History
| Matches | Wins | Losses | NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 217 | 117 | 90 | 10 |
England are one of the most successful and consistent teams in T20 internationals.
Nepal T20 History
| Matches | Wins | Losses | NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | 66 | 43 | 3 |
Nepal have emerged as a strong associate side with steady improvement in T20 cricket.
Head-to-Head: England vs Nepal
| Matches | ENG Won | NEP Won |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
This will be the first-ever T20I meeting between England and Nepal.
Pitch Report – Wankhede Stadium
The surface at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai is traditionally a high-scoring, batter-friendly track that rewards power hitting and stroke play. Pacers can exploit early movement with the new ball, but once the ball gets older, batting becomes easier. Spinners may find some assistance in the middle overs, but overall the pitch tends to favour batsmen if they get set. The fast outfield further aids scoring, and dew later in the evening can assist the team batting second. Teams batting first often post totals in the 175–195 range, making anything above 180 very competitive on this venue.
Weather Report
Based on weather forecasts for Mumbai on match day:
| Condition | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 28–33°C |
| Sky | Clear / Sunny |
| Rain | 0% Chance |
| Humidity | Moderate |
February in Mumbai is typically dry and warm with very low chances of rain, making uninterrupted play highly likely for this T20 World Cup encounter.
Broadcast Details
The England vs Nepal 5th T20 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network across India. Digital streaming will be available on JioHotstar, offering live match coverage, expert commentary, and highlights. International audiences should check local broadcasters or streaming partners for regional coverage.
Toss Prediction
Winning the toss at Wankhede Stadium could influence the match outcome. Given the batting-friendly conditions and potential dew later in the day, teams may prefer to bowl first and chase under lights. Considering the lineups and strategies likely in this game, Nepal are marginally tipped to win the toss and opt to bowl first, although England’s experience means they would be comfortable with either decision.
Probable Batsman & Bowler
Probable Batsman:
England’s standout batsman for this contest is Phil Salt, whose recent T20 performances include quick scoring, consistency, and exceptional strike rate. Salt’s ability to dominate the powerplay makes him a key threat on a batting-friendly Wankhede surface. Another key batter is Jos Buttler, whose experience and finishing skills will be crucial in anchoring England’s innings or accelerating late.
For Nepal, Aasif Sheikh is the most reliable batting option. His composure and stroke-making ability will be vital against a strong England bowling attack.
Probable Bowler:
In bowling, Adil Rashid is likely England’s biggest wicket-taking threat, especially in the middle overs where spin can disrupt Nepal’s momentum. For Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane remains the key bowler who can provide breakthroughs and apply pressure through controlled spin on this batting surface.
Match Prediction
England’s superior batting firepower, deeper bowling resources, and extensive big-stage experience make them overwhelming favourites to start their T20 World Cup campaign with a win. Nepal will fight hard with confidence from their unbeaten qualification run, but the difference in quality and conditions points to an England victory. Our Prediction: England will win the 5th T20 match against Nepal.
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
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