The England cricket team has disclosed its lineup for the T20 World Cup 2026 opening match against Nepal at Wankhede Stadium this Sunday. Harry Brook will lead the team, marking his debut as captain in an ICC tournament. The squad boasts a formidable batting order, with Phil Salt and Jos Buttler opening, followed by Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton at numbers three and four.
Captain Brook will bat at number five, with all-rounders Sam Curran and Will Jacks entrusted with finishing duties. The team has opted for two fast bowlers, Jofra Archer and Luke Wood, while Curran will provide the third pace option. England’s spin department will feature Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson, with Will Jacks as the third spin choice. The team has excluded Jamie Overton, who played in the XI against Sri Lanka before the World Cup.
England, positioned in Group C, will face West Indies on February 11 after the Nepal clash. Subsequently, they will head to Kolkata for matches against Scotland on February 14 and Italy on February 16 in the group stage. The team enters the tournament on a high note following a 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka in a crucial bilateral series for their World Cup preparations.
Having reached the semi-finals in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they were knocked out by eventual champions India, the two-time winners are aiming for a strong performance this time around.
