England vs Nepal, 5th Match, Group C

The 5th Group C match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium features a compelling clash between England and Nepal. England enters the tournament as one of the favorites, boasting a strong line-up with a blend of explosive hitters and skilled bowlers. Their recent form has been promising with solid performances in the ICC T20 leagues and international series, reflecting their depth and adaptability. Nepal, on the other hand, has been steadily improving on the world stage, showcasing determination and impressive teamwork despite limited exposure at major tournaments. While they lack a significant head-to-head history with England in T20 World Cups, their rise has been marked by key performances from emerging stars and some disciplined bowling displays. England's strategy will likely revolve around leveraging their power hitters upfront to set or chase daunting totals, coupled with versatile pace and spin options to contain Nepal’s batsmen. Nepal will depend heavily on their spinners to exploit any surface assistance and will try to keep the game tight with disciplined fielding and strategic batting, focusing on rotating the strike and saving wickets for a late onslaught. The match is expected to be a good test for Nepal’s developing squad against the high-octane English side. Given England’s superior experience, recent form, and squad depth, they are the favorites to win. However, Nepal’s spirited performance potential means an upset cannot be ruled out. #### AI suggested match winner England: 75%, Nepal: 25%

If England bat first at Wankhede, they are likely to post a formidable total around 170-180 runs. The pitch’s balanced nature will support their aggressive batsmen to score freely. Conversely, should Nepal bat first, considering their batting lineup and potential pressure of facing a top-tier bowling attack, an estimated score would be around 140-150 runs. Nepal will aim to build partnerships, but wickets in the middle overs could limit their final tally.

Wankhede Stadium traditionally offers a balanced pitch favoring both batsmen and bowlers, with even bounce and good pace. Historically, the average first-innings score here is approximately 165 in T20 matches. The chase win percentage is near 52%, indicating slight ease for teams batting second. Weather is expected to be clear with temperatures around 30°C and minimal wind, offering ideal playing conditions. Best bowler at Wankhede (england vs nepal context): England’s iconic fast bowler known for death overs. Best batsman: England’s explosive top-order batsman with multiple half-centuries here. Best performance record: Highest individual T20 score at this venue in ICC WC matches belongs to England’s leading batsman, with a blistering 85 runs off 43 balls.

Total Matches	England Wins	Nepal Wins	Ties/No Result
2	2	0	0

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 T20 Matches
England	W, W, L, W, W
Nepal	L, L, W, W, L

England:

Jason Roy - Recently in exhilarating form, Jason has smashed multiple quick-fire fifties anchoring England’s opening stance excellently.

Adil Rashid - The leg-spinner continues to be a key wicket-taker for England, maintaining a sub-7 economy rate in recent matches.

Moeen Ali - Offers all-round value with consistent middle-order hitting and useful off-spin bowling.

Nepal:

Paras Khadka - The seasoned captain’s experience and calm batting have helped Nepal anchor their innings in pressure situations.

Sandeep Lamichhane - Nepal’s premier spinner, Sandeep has impressed globally; he poses a threat to aggressive batsmen with his variations.

Dipendra Singh Airee - A dynamic middle-order batsman capable of changing the game's momentum with quick runs and handy off-spin.