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MUMBAI – The world of cricket turns its eyes to the iconic Wankhede Stadium today as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 delivers one of its most anticipated Group C fixtures. The emerging “Rhinos” of Nepal are set to face off against the two-time world champions, England, in a match that defines the “spirit of the underdog.”
A Clash of Eras
Scheduled for 3:15 PM IST (09:45 GMT), today’s match marks a significant milestone for Associate nation Nepal. Led by their captain Rohit Paudel, the Nepali squad enters the stadium with the weight of a nation’s dreams and a reputation for being a “fearless” side capable of stunning upsets.
England, under the new leadership of Harry Brook, begins their quest for a third title. Despite their status as heavy favorites, the English side is wary. Brook’s squad recently secured a 3-0 series win over Sri Lanka, but they face a Nepal team coming off high-energy warm-up victories against the UAE and Canada.
The Game Plan
Nepal’s strategy will likely center on their spin attack and the explosive opening potential of Kushal Bhurtel. For England, the focus remains on clinical execution.
Projected England XI:
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Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.
Nepal’s Key Players:
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Rohit Paudel: The tactical anchor of the team.
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Sandeep Lamichhane: The leg-spin wizard expected to thrive on the Wankhede surface.
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Sompal Kami: The veteran seamer providing much-needed experience.
Match Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (Match 5) |
| Teams | England vs. Nepal |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Time | 3:15 PM local (Today, Feb 8, 2026) |
| Broadcaster | Star Sports (India), Sky Sports (UK), Willow TV (USA/Canada) |
“We come into here full of confidence and belief that we can go a long way in this tournament,” said England captain Harry Brook during the pre-match press conference. “But against a team like Nepal, you can’t afford to be complacent for a single over.”
As thousands of passionate Nepali fans—known for their unmatched energy—descend upon Mumbai, the atmosphere is expected to be electric. Whether Nepal can pull off the ultimate “giant-killing” or England asserts their dominance remains to be seen.
प्रकाशित मिति : २०८२ माघ २६, आईतवार गते
