England Cruise to 8-Wicket Victory Over Nepal in Authoritative T20 World Cup Display

England asserted their dominance in Group C with a convincing 8-wicket win over Nepal in the fifth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium, chasing down Nepal’s 148/8 with ease and 32 balls remaining. Phil Salt’s explosive 82 off 44 balls set the tone, supported by Jos Buttler’s composed 48* and Harry Brook’s quick unbeaten 19*, as England overhauled the target in just 14.4 overs. Adil Rashid’s 3/19 and Jofra Archer’s 2/24 restricted Nepal despite Kushal Bhurtel’s fighting 52. This result handed England two points and a strong net run rate in a group featuring West Indies and Scotland. A vibrant crowd of over 35,000 under Mumbai’s floodlights created an electric atmosphere, cheering England’s clinical performance on a batsman-friendly pitch.

The Wankhede Stadium, under clear February night skies with light dew favoring the chase, produced a moderate-scorer turned one-sided affair with around 300 runs dominated by England’s batting prowess. The pitch — flat, true, and offering good bounce early before settling — favored aggressive batting, making defense challenging but the chase straightforward. Jos Buttler’s decision to field first after winning the toss was vindicated, exploiting early conditions before dew set in. For Nepal captain Rohit Paudel, the defeat was expected but respectable, a valiant effort against a top side; for Buttler, it was satisfying, a professional team display to build momentum. As Brook sealed the win with a boundary amid cheers, the group narrative favored England as strong contenders.

England XI Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Will Jacks, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley

Nepal XI Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Anil Sah, Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Abinash Bohara, Lalit Rajbanshi

Nepal – 148/8 (20 overs) Nepal posted a competitive but under-par 148 after being inserted, anchored by Bhurtel’s resilient 52 off 45 (5 fours, 2 sixes). Early wickets fell to Archer (2/24), who removed openers with pace and bounce. Paudel (28) and Dipendra (quick 22) added momentum in the middle, but Rashid (3/19) spun his web, claiming key scalps including Bhurtel lbw. Curran (1/28) and Jordan bowled tight in the death, restricting late cameos from Malla (18). Extras 12, no big partnerships beyond Bhurtel’s efforts; momentum stayed with England as spin and pace variations kept scoring in check on a pitch that slowed slightly.

England – 149/2 (14.4 overs) England’s chase was dominant from the outset. Salt unleashed an aggressive 82 off 44 (9 fours, 4 sixes), dominating the powerplay with Buttler in a 112-run opening stand. Buttler anchored with 48* off 32 (5 fours, 2 sixes), sharing quick runs with Brook (19* off 12). Bohara (1/32) picked Salt late, but pacers leaked under assault as dew aided strokeplay. No pressure moments; pure class with drives, pulls, and aerial shots, sealing victory comfortably in 14.4 overs for a massive margin and strong NRR boost.

Key Moments

• Phil Salt’s explosive 82 off 44, setting a blistering platform and earning Player of the Match.
• Adil Rashid’s 3/19, strangling Nepal’s middle order with clever leg-spin variations.
• Kushal Bhurtel’s gritty 52, providing Nepal’s backbone in a tough outing.
• 112-run opening stand between Salt and Buttler, laying the foundation for the easy chase.
• Jofra Archer’s 2/24, dismantling Nepal’s top order with express pace.

Player of the Match: Phil Salt (82 off 44) Winning Captain (Jos Buttler): “Great way to start the campaign—Phil was outstanding, and our bowlers set it up perfectly. Wankhede is a special place; the crowd was brilliant. This gives us confidence heading into tougher games.” Losing Captain (Rohit Paudel): “We knew it would be tough against England—they’re a quality side. Kushal batted well, but we needed more runs. Proud of the fight; lessons for the next matches in a challenging group.”

Group C Standings (after Match 3): England 2 pts (NRR +4.80), West Indies 2 pts, others TBD Next → England vs West Indies, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group C: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai — February 11, 2026 (1:30 PM IST)

England’s authoritative win showcased batting depth and bowling variety, positioning them strongly in Group C. With key players firing in subcontinental conditions, the Three Lions carry momentum into their clash with West Indies, while Nepal aim to regroup and cause upsets against lesser-favored opponents.