England cricket team have announced their playing XI for their T20 World Cup 2026 opener against Nepal on Sunday. Harry Brook and co. have been placed in Group C alongside Nepal, Scotland, West Indies and Italy. England will commence their WC campaign on Sunday by taking on Nepal at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
England’s playing XI vs Nepal
1. Phil Salt
2. Jos Buttler (wk)
3. Jacob Bethell
4. Tom Banton
5. Harry Brook (c)
6. Sam Curran
7. Will Jacks
8. Liam Dawson
9. Jofra Archer
10. Adil Rashid
11. Luke Wood
Bench: Rehan Ahmed, Josh Tongue, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton
England have gone with two specialist spinners in their XI in the form of Adil Rashid and Dawson. The team boasts of a stellar bating line-up which will see Salt open with Buttler. Captain brook is slotted to bat at number 5. The team also boasts of a strong all-round unit featuring the likes of Curran, Jacks, Bethell among others. Archer and Wood comprise of the pace unit.
The pacer duo of Tongue and Overton have been benched for the contest while Duckett has not managed to find a place in the playing XI. England have also decided to pick an experienced Rashid over Rehan Ahmed.
England schedule for T20 World Cup 2026
| Dates | Match | Group/Stage | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 8, Sunday | England vs Nepal | Group C | Mumbai |
| February 11, Wednesday | England vs West Indies | Group C | Mumbai |
| February 14, Saturday | England vs Scotland | Group C | Kolkata |
| February 16, Monday | England vs Italy | Group C | Kolkata |
England squad for T20 World Cup
Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood
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