England Chose to Bat First vs Nepal: Complete Playing XI – 5th Match, Group C
England have won the toss and elected to bat first against Nepal in the 5th Match of Group C at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. Captain Harry Brook made the decision to post a total on the batting-friendly surface, setting up what promises to be an exciting T20 World Cup 2026 encounter. The match kicks off at 2:30 PM IST with England looking to dominate their tournament opener against the spirited Nepalese side.
Toss Result & Match Details
| Toss Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Toss Winner | England |
| Decision | Bat First |
| Captain | Harry Brook |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Match Time | 2:30 PM IST (Day-Night) |
| Match Type | Group C, T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | February 08, 2026 |
England’s decision to bat first reflects confidence in their explosive batting lineup and the Wankhede’s reputation as a high-scoring venue with short boundaries favoring power-hitters.
England Official Playing XI
Harry Brook has announced England’s starting eleven, featuring a power-packed batting order and a balanced bowling attack:
| Position | Player Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Salt | Wicketkeeper-batter (opener) |
| 2 | Jos Buttler | Wicketkeeper-batter (opener) |
| 3 | Jacob Bethell | Batting allrounder |
| 4 | Tom Banton | Top-order batter |
| 5 | Harry Brook (C) | Middle-order batter (Captain) |
| 6 | Sam Curran | Allrounder |
| 7 | Will Jacks | Batting allrounder |
| 8 | Liam Dawson | Allrounder (left-arm spinner) |
| 9 | Jofra Archer | Fast bowler |
| 10 | Adil Rashid | Leg-spinner |
| 11 | Luke Wood | Fast bowler (left-arm) |
Lineup Breakdown
Opening Pair: Phil Salt and Jos Buttler form one of cricket’s most explosive opening combinations, capable of taking any bowling attack apart.
Middle Order: Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, and captain Harry Brook provide aggressive batting with the ability to accelerate at any stage.
All-rounders: Sam Curran, Will Jacks, and Liam Dawson add tremendous depth, ensuring England can bat till number 8.
Bowling Attack: Jofra Archer leads the pace attack alongside Luke Wood, while Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson handle spin duties.
Nepal Probable Playing XI
While Nepal hasn’t officially confirmed their lineup, here’s the expected eleven based on squad composition and recent form:
| Position | Player Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kushal Bhurtel | Opening batter |
| 2 | Aasif Sheikh | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| 3 | Rohit Paudel (C) | Middle-order batter (Captain) |
| 4 | Dipendra Singh Airee | Allrounder |
| 5 | Kushal Malla | Middle-order batter |
| 6 | Sompal Kami | Pace-bowling allrounder |
| 7 | Gulshan Jha | Fast bowler |
| 8 | Karan KC | Fast bowler |
| 9 | Sandeep Lamichhane | Leg-spinner (star player) |
| 10 | Lalit Rajbanshi | Left-arm orthodox spinner |
| 11 | Abinash Bohara | Fast bowler |
Nepal’s Strengths: Their spin duo of Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi could be crucial on Wankhede’s surface, especially if it offers turn under lights.
Why England Chose to Bat First
Harry Brook’s decision to bat first stems from several tactical considerations:
Wankhede Pitch Characteristics: The Mumbai venue is known for flat batting surfaces with true bounce, perfect for setting big totals. Evening dew can make bowling difficult for the chasing team.
England’s Batting Firepower: With explosive batters throughout the order, England can post intimidating totals of 200+ that put immense pressure on opponents.
Psychological Advantage: Defending champions setting the terms of engagement sends a strong message, especially against underdogs like Nepal.
Tournament Context: Early in the group stage, England want to boost their net run rate with a big score and convincing victory.
Key Players to Watch
England’s Match-Winners
Phil Salt (Recent form: 394 runs in 9 matches, Average 56.29, SR 173.56) The aggressive opener has been in scorching form and will look to capitalize on the powerplay.
Jos Buttler (Recent form: 250 runs in 10 matches, SR 177.3) Despite modest averages, Buttler’s strike rate demonstrates his explosive ability when he connects.
Jofra Archer Back to full fitness, his express pace and yorker accuracy will test Nepal’s batters, especially in death overs.
Adil Rashid (Recent form: 15 wickets in 8 matches, Economy 7.93) The veteran leg-spinner’s variations and wicket-taking ability make him England’s trump card against Nepal’s middle order.
Nepal’s Key Threats
Sandeep Lamichhane (Recent form: 13 wickets in 7 matches, Economy 5.32) Nepal’s star spinner boasts exceptional economy and wicket-taking ability. His battle with England’s batters will be fascinating.
Aasif Sheikh (Recent form: 280 runs in 9 matches, Average 35, SR 135.92) Nepal’s most consistent performer with the bat will be crucial if they chase.
Lalit Rajbanshi (Recent form: 8 wickets in 7 matches, Economy 5.20) The left-arm spinner’s tight bowling could frustrate England’s aggressive approach.
Recent Form Analysis
England Last 5 T20Is
- W vs Australia (Won by 28 runs)
- W vs West Indies (Won by 7 wickets)
- W vs Pakistan (Won by 23 runs)
- NR vs India (No Result – Rain)
- W vs South Africa (Won by 5 wickets)
Form Rating: 4 wins in 4 completed matches – Excellent momentum
Nepal Last 5 T20Is
- W vs UAE (Won by 6 wickets)
- W vs Oman (Won by 5 runs)
- W vs Netherlands (Won by 4 wickets)
- W vs PNG (Won by 42 runs)
- W vs Namibia (Won by 7 wickets)
Form Rating: Perfect 5/5 record – Sky-high confidence
Both teams arrive in outstanding form, though England face significantly tougher opposition in their recent matches.
Points Table – Group C
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 2 | Nepal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
This opening match for both teams in Group C will set the tone for their campaigns. England will aim for a dominant victory to top the points table with a healthy net run rate.
Venue Analysis – Wankhede Stadium
Stadium Profile:
- Capacity: 33,000 spectators
- Pitch Nature: Batting-friendly with true bounce
- Average T20 Score: 170-180
- Boundary Dimensions: Short square boundaries (60-65m)
- Winning Pattern: 52% batting first, 48% chasing
The Wankhede pitch traditionally favors batting, especially under lights. Short boundaries make it a high-scoring venue where even mis-hits can clear the ropes – perfect for England’s power-hitting approach.
Day-Night Factor: Evening dew typically helps batters in the second innings, but it can make bowling and fielding challenging for the chasing team.
Expected Match Strategy
England’s Plan:
- Aggressive powerplay batting from Salt and Buttler
- Accelerate through middle overs with Brook and Banton
- Target 190-200+ total to put pressure on Nepal
- Use Archer’s pace early to unsettle Nepal’s top order
- Deploy Rashid and Dawson in middle overs to choke runs
Nepal’s Approach:
- Take early wickets through pace to slow England’s scoring
- Use Lamichhane and Rajbanshi to control middle overs
- Disciplined death bowling to restrict total below 180
- Conservative powerplay batting if chasing
- Build partnerships rather than slogging
Tournament Context
This Group C opener carries significant implications for both teams in the tournament:
For England: A strong start builds momentum and confidence. As defending champions, they need to make a statement.
For Nepal: Playing in their first-ever T20 World Cup, they aim to showcase improvement and potentially shock the cricket world.
Schedule Impact: According to the tournament schedule, both teams have crucial matches ahead, making net run rate potentially decisive.
Match Prediction
Predicted Outcome: England victory (85% probability)
Expected Score: England 185-195, Nepal 140-155
England’s superior firepower, experience, and balanced squad make them overwhelming favorites. However, Nepal’s perfect recent form and quality spinners mean they shouldn’t be completely written off on a slow Wankhede surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the toss between England and Nepal? England captain Harry Brook won the toss and chose to bat first against Nepal at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
What time does England vs Nepal match start? The match starts at 2:30 PM IST on February 08, 2026, as a day-night encounter at Wankhede Stadium.
What is England’s playing XI for Nepal match? England’s XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.
Why did England choose to bat first? England opted to bat first to leverage their explosive batting lineup on Wankhede’s batting-friendly pitch and set a challenging total for Nepal.
Who are the key players in this match? Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer for England; Sandeep Lamichhane, Aasif Sheikh, and Lalit Rajbanshi for Nepal.
Is this Nepal’s first T20 World Cup match? Yes, this marks Nepal’s campaign opener in their first-ever T20 World Cup appearance, making it a historic occasion.
