Two-time champions England won the toss and opted to bat first against Nepal in their Group C opener of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium. England, the winners in 2010 and 2022, enter the tournament in excellent form, having won 10 of their last 11 matches. Phil Salt returns to the English team after missing the Sri Lanka tour due to injury and will open alongside former captain Jos Buttler.
Nepal, playing in their second consecutive T20 World Cup, are a resilient side, nearly defeating South Africa in the 2024 World Cup. They secured their spot in the tournament by finishing at the top of the Asian qualifiers. Recently, Nepal made history by defeating the West Indies in a three-match T20I series, marking their first victory against a Test-playing nation.
England’s captain, Brook, chose to bat first, citing the pitch’s favorable conditions in the first innings. He expressed confidence in the team’s performance, emphasizing the need to adapt to the game situation. Nepal’s captain, Paudal, would have preferred to bowl first, considering the advantage of chasing on a used wicket. He highlighted the team’s familiarity with Asian conditions as a significant asset.
