ENG vs NEP Match Prediction : 5th Match, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2026
ENG vs NEP Win Probability
66%
England
34%
Nepal
England To Win, 1.02
England is a seasoned ICC Full Member and former champion, whereas Nepal is an emerging Associate nation still finding its footing at the elite level.
Nepal lacks the explosive depth required to challenge England's lineup. The English batting order is stacked with power hitters accustomed to high-scoring venues like Wankhede.
England's top order is in exquisite touch. Against an inexperienced Nepali attack, their aggressive approach is likely to yield an insurmountable total.
ENG vs NEP Betting Tips
First wicket method: Caught
The Wankhede pitch is a batting paradise with true bounce, which encourages openers to attack during the Powerplay. Given the pace on the ball from England's attack and the likely aggression from Nepal's top order to keep up, aerial shots are inevitable. The "caught" dismissal is the most statistically probable outcome when batters are looking to clear the infield early.
First ball of the match: Dot ball
This is a classic "sighter" bet. Even on good batting wickets, openers typically treat the very first delivery with caution, especially when facing a new opponent or unfamiliar conditions. With the stakes of a World Cup opener, expect a watchful leave or a defensive block to start proceedings. A lot more likely if Nepal bats first.
Team form (Last 5 matches)
England
Nepal
There is anticipation in the air as the drama of the T20 World Cup begins to unfold. In the fifth contest of the tournament (Group C), heavyweights England face underdogs Nepal on February 8th, 2026, at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Let's dive into the match prediction, betting tips, and pitch report for this David vs. Goliath encounter.
Also Check: Today's Cricket Betting Rates
England vs Nepal Head-to-Head Record
This will be a historic first meeting. The two nations have never faced each other in the T20I format, adding an element of the unknown to Nepal's challenge.
England vs Nepal Live-streaming and Broadcast
| Country | TV Channel | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports Network | Disney+ Hotstar App |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Ten Sports | Myco App, Tamasha App |
| Australia | — | Amazon Prime Video |
| England (UK) | Sky Sports (Cricket/Main Event) | SkyGO, NOW, Sky Sports App |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV | Willow by Cricbuzz App |
| West Indies | ESPN Caribbean | ESPN Play Caribbean |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport App |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ | Sky Sport Now, Sky Go |
| Sri Lanka | Maharaja TV (TV1, Sirasa, Shakti) | ICC.tv / Maharaja TV Website |
| Bangladesh | Nagorik TV | Toffee |
| UAE & MENA | CricLife MAX | StarzPlay, StarzON |
You can find live odds, updated tips after every day's play, and more information about this match at ocbsports.com.
ENG vs NEP Team Previews
England
England enters this contest in solid form, boasting three wins from their last five T20Is (with two no-results). They are coming off a clinical performance against Sri Lanka, where they chased down a revised target with 6 wickets in hand.Â
Jofra Archer looked sharp, claiming two wickets, while Tom Banton (54 runs) and the explosive middle order ensured a comfortable victory.
The key to England's dominance will be their aggressive batting. Captain Harry Brook has a lineup full of match-winners. Phil Salt is the man to watch, having smashed 394 runs in his last 9 games at a stunning average of 56.29 and a strike rate of 173.56.
Veteran Jos Buttler remains a threat with a strike rate of 190 in his last 10 outings. Brook himself is one of the most aggressive and mercurial players against spin. With the ball, Adil Rashid remains a world-class operator (16 wickets in his last 8 games), supported by the all-round skills of Liam Dawson and the pace of Jofra Archer.
England Expected Playing 11
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer.
Check Out: Best Cricket Betting Sites
Nepal
Nepal arrives with confidence, having won five consecutive T20Is. However, context is crucial: these victories came against lower-ranked opposition (Samoa, Japan, Oman, UAE, Qatar). In their most recent thrashing of Samoa (winning by 124 runs), Aasif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee both hit fifties to post 211/4.
For Nepal to compete here, they need their experienced core to step up.
Aasif Sheikh is their form batter (280 runs in last 9 games @ avg 35), while Kushal Bhurtel provides stability. The bowling attack will rely heavily on star leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who has 13 wickets in his last 7 matches. He will need significant support from Lalit Rajbanshi to contain England's hitters.
Nepal Expected Playing 11
Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel (c), Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi.
ENG vs NEP Toss Prediction
The Wankhede Stadium has hosted nine T20Is with a fairly even split between batting first and chasing. However, given the chasing bias often seen in Mumbai due to the dew factor and the true nature of the pitch later in the evening, the captain winning the toss will likely choose to field first.
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The Wankhede is world-famous as a batter's paradise. The red soil pitch offers true bounce and pace, allowing batters to hit through the line with confidence. The boundaries are relatively small, meaning mis-hits often fly for six.
Weather:Â Expect warm, sunny conditions with no chance of rain.
Batting second is generally preferred here as the target is known and the pitch remains consistent.
ENG vs NEP: Who Will Win?
While everyone loves an underdog story, the gulf in class here is simply too wide to ignore. England is a powerhouse with players in peak form, while Nepal is taking a massive step up in weight class. England's deep batting lineup is perfectly suited to exploit the flat Wankhede deck. Expect a dominant performance from the Poms.
Bet on England to win.
