The moment every Nepali cricket fan had been waiting for arrived on 25 November 2025. The ICC dropped the complete match schedule for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, and Nepal’s four group-stage games are now set in stone. For the second consecutive edition, Nepal will compete on the biggest stage — but this time, Nepal in the group of death is not just a catchy headline. It is reality.
Group C: England (#3), West Indies (#4), Bangladesh (#7), Nepal (#16), Italy (#28).
And in an incredible twist of fate, all four ICC T20 World Cup Nepal fixtures will be played at the same venue — the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai — between 8 and 17 February 2026.
Official ICC T20 World Cup Nepal Fixtures – Group C
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 8 Feb 2026 | Nepal vs England | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM | Tournament opener for Nepal vs 2022 champions |
| Thu, 12 Feb 2026 | Nepal vs Italy | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 3:00 PM | Must-win clash of mountain nations & debutants |
| Sun, 15 Feb 2026 | Nepal vs West Indies | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM | Himalayan power vs Caribbean fireworks |
| Tue, 17 Feb 2026 | Nepal vs Bangladesh | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM | Likely Super 8 decider |
Four matches. Ten days. One stadium. Zero room for error.
Why This Schedule Is Perfect Drama
The ICC couldn’t have scripted it better. Nepal open the campaign against England under floodlights on a Sunday night — prime-time television across the subcontinent. They then get four days to recover and prepare before facing Italy in a daytime game that is essentially a quarter-final for both associate nations. Three days later, Sunday night again — this time against the West Indies. And finally, a quick-turnaround Tuesday night blockbuster against Bangladesh that could decide who boards the Super 8 flight.
The Wankhede factor is massive. Short square boundaries (63–68 m), true bounce, and a lightning-fast outfield reward aggressive strokeplay — exactly Nepal’s brand of cricket. Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, and Dipendra Singh Airee have all feasted on flat decks before. If Nepal post 170+ twice, even England and West Indies will feel the heat.
Match-by-Match Survival Guide
- 8 Feb – Nepal vs England (7:30 PM) Dream start or brutal wake-up call? England historically start T20 World Cups slowly (lost to the Netherlands in 2014, Ireland in 2010 & 2022). A flying start with the bat and three tight overs from Lalit Rajbanshi and Sandeep Lamichhane could make Mumbai unforgettable.
- 12 Feb – Nepal vs Italy (3:00 PM) Non-negotiable victory. Italy are gritty, but Nepal have beaten them convincingly in warm-ups. Three points here keep the dream alive.
- 15 Feb – Nepal vs West Indies (7:30 PM) Pure entertainment. Expect 400+ runs in 40 overs. If Nepal restrict WI under 180 or chases anything under 190, Marine Drive will erupt.
- 17 Feb – Nepal vs Bangladesh (7:30 PM) The decider. Nepal tied with Bangladesh in a 2025 thriller and beat them in the 2023 Asia Cup. Win this, and even a 2–2 record might sneak Nepal through on NRR.
The Bigger Picture
These ICC T20 World Cup Nepal fixtures are more than games — they are a national movement. Schools in Kathmandu have already applied to declare 8 February a half-holiday. Travel agencies are selling “Mumbai Cricket Yatra” packages. The Nepali diaspora in Mumbai is mobilising to paint the Wankhede red and blue.
Back home, giant screens are planned in Durbar Square, Bhaktapur, and Pokhara. For ten days in February 2026, an entire country of 30 million will live and breathe every ball.
Realistic Targets
- 6 points (win vs Italy + one giant-killing) → strong Super 8 chance
- 4 points + good NRR → possible on tie-breakers
- Even 2 points will be celebrated as moral victories against England and the West Indies.
Rohit Paudel, at just 23, will become the youngest captain ever to lead a team in this group of death. Sandeep Lamichhane will bowl in front of 32,000 people for the first time since his comeback. Kushal Bhurtel has openly said, “We are not here for selfies. We are here to win matches.”https://theinfohatch.com/italy-t20-cricket-world-cup-2026/
Final Word
Yes, Nepal in the group of death sounds terrifying. But look closer at the ICC T20 World Cup Nepal fixtures — same venue, aggressive batting paradise, prime-time slots, and a team that genuinely believes.
8 February 2026, 7:30 PM, Wankhede Stadium. One ball, one boundary, one upset at a time.
The Himalayas are coming to Mumbai. And they are not here to just participate.https://www.espncricinfo.com/