England begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium on February 8, 2026.
This historic first T20I meeting presents a fascinating fantasy contest between the two-time champions and an improving Asian side.
The Wankhede pitch offers batting paradise with short boundaries and excellent bounce.
England’s explosive batting lineup faces Nepal’s disciplined spinners in conditions favoring stroke-makers.
Fantasy managers must consider venue records, recent form, and the dew factor when building teams.
ENG vs NEP 5th Match Dream11 Prediction Today

Player selection should prioritize batters with Wankhede experience and bowlers who can contain runs in the death overs.
England vs Nepal Match Preview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs Nepal, T20 World Cup 5th Match |
| Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM IST / 9:30 AM GMT |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Group | Group C |
| Context | England’s opener, Nepal’s second match |
England, champions in 2010 and 2022, face Nepal in Group C alongside West Indies, Scotland, and Italy.
Harry Brook leads England for the first time at a World Cup, while Rohit Paudel captains a confident Nepal side riding high on warm-up victories.
Pitch Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Batting-friendly with pace and bounce |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 178 in T20Is (9.34 RPO) |
| Pace vs Spin | Fast bowlers are effective early, spinners struggle |
| Boundary Size | Short square boundaries (65-70m) |
| Toss Advantage | Chasing preferred due to the dew |
| Highest Score | 235/1 (RCB, IPL 2015) |
Fantasy captaincy should lean toward explosive batters who can target short square boundaries.
Fast bowlers gain importance in powerplay overs due to early movement from the sea breeze.
Spinners offer limited fantasy value unless they possess variations and economy control.
Weather Report
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22-30°C (26-30°C during match hours) |
| Sky | Mostly clear, sunny |
| Rain Chance | Negligible (dry winter month) |
| Humidity | 40-50% |
| Dew Factor | Expected in the second innings |
Perfect cricket conditions with zero rain threat ensure an uninterrupted match.
Dew accumulation in the evening session will make gripping difficult for bowlers, giving chasing teams a significant advantage.
Second-innings bowlers may struggle with control, increasing run-scoring opportunities.
Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss will almost certainly choose to bowl first at Wankhede.
Dew factor becomes prominent as the day-night fixture progresses into evening hours, making the ball skid onto the bat easier for second-innings batters.
Chasing teams historically dominate at this venue with excellent visibility under lights and moisture, making stroke-play simpler.
First-innings bowlers gain maximum fantasy relevance as they operate in drier conditions with better grip.
Injury Updates
- Jofra Archer Availability: England’s pace spearhead has fully recovered from the left side strain sustained during the Ashes. He brings crucial pace and death-overs expertise to England’s bowling attack, making him a premium fantasy pick.
- Josh Tongue Debut: The pacer receives his maiden T20I call-up and could feature if England opts for extra pace on the bouncy Wankhede track. Monitor the team announcement before finalizing fantasy selections.
- Phil Salt Form: The explosive opener has smashed 253 runs in his last seven T20Is at a strike rate of 152.40, including four T20I centuries. His aggressive approach suits Wankhede’s batting conditions perfectly.
- Sandeep Lamichhane Returns: Nepal’s leg-spin maestro has claimed 13 wickets in his last seven T20Is at an economy of just 5.31. His variations could trouble England’s middle order despite spin-unfriendly conditions.
- Kushal Bhurtel Dual Threat: The opener has accumulated 258 runs and eight wickets in his last 10 T20Is, offering balanced fantasy value as both batter and occasional spinner.
- Aasif Sheikh Momentum: Nepal’s wicketkeeper-batter scored a blistering 58 off 29 balls in the warm-up against Canada, showcasing excellent touch ahead of the tournament opener.
England vs Nepal Head-to-Head Records In T20Is
| Total Matches | England Wins | Nepal Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
This represents the first-ever T20I meeting between England and Nepal across all formats of international cricket.
Last Five T20I Meetings
- No previous T20I meetings between England and Nepal
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Team | Role | Key Fantasy Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jos Buttler | ENG | WK/Batter | 759 IPL runs at Wankhede (avg 34.5, SR 144.29) |
| Phil Salt | ENG | Opener | 253 runs in last 7 T20Is at 152.40 SR |
| Adil Rashid | ENG | Spinner | ICC No. 4 ranked, 13 wickets in last 8 matches |
| Jofra Archer | ENG | Pacer | Fully fit, pace, and death-overs specialist |
| Sam Curran | ENG | All-rounder | Player of the Tournament 2022 T20 World Cup |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | NEP | Spinner | 13 wickets in 7 T20Is at 5.31 economy |
| Kushal Bhurtel | NEP | Opener/Spinner | 258 runs and 8 wickets in the last 10 T20Is |
| Aasif Sheikh | NEP | WK/Batter | 280 runs in 9 T20Is at 135.92 SR |
Conclusion:
England enter as overwhelming favorites with superior firepower and Wankhede experience.
Nepal’s disciplined bowling may restrict totals, but chasing against England’s depth poses significant challenges.
Fantasy captaincy should favor Phil Salt or Jos Buttler, given their explosive potential and venue familiarity.
Sandeep Lamichhane offers differential value from Nepal’s lineup.
- Match Timing: 3:00 PM IST start ensures day-night conditions with dew impact.
- Venue Strategy: Stack batting options from both teams; short boundaries favor aggressive stroke-makers.
- Fantasy Focus: Prioritize top-order batters and powerplay bowlers; vice-captaincy on English all-rounders recommended.
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