The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 brings an exciting David vs Goliath encounter as Nepal face the West Indies in the 25th Match at Mumbai’s legendary Wankhede Stadium.
This Group C battle puts two-time champions West Indies against Nepal, a team that has rapidly grown in international cricket. Under Rohit Paudel’s leadership, Nepal will aim to pull off a major upset against Shai Hope’s powerful Caribbean side.
The Himalayan nation has already proven they can compete with bigger teams, while the West Indies look to maintain its winning momentum in the tournament.
Match Details
The historic Wankhede Stadium sets the stage for this fascinating Group C encounter that could spring a major surprise in the tournament.
The Wankhede Stadium, with its 33,000 capacity and electric Mumbai atmosphere, provides the perfect setting.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match Number | 25th Match, Group C |
| Date | Sunday, February 15, 2026 |
| Time (Local) | 11:00 AM |
| Time (GMT) | 5:30 AM |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
The pitch lies between the Garware Pavilion End and the Tata End, creating an ideal venue for this Group C clash.
Weather Report
Mumbai’s morning weather conditions will play an important role as both teams prepare for this crucial group stage match.
| Parameter | Forecast Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24-28°C (Pleasant morning conditions) |
| Humidity | 65-75% |
| Rain Chance | 10% (Clear skies expected) |
| Wind Speed | 12-18 km/h |
| Cloud Cover | Mostly clear |
The pleasant morning temperature with moderate humidity creates comfortable playing conditions. The gentle breeze from the Arabian Sea might assist swing bowlers in the early overs. Rain chances are minimal, ensuring fans get a full 40-over contest without interruptions.
Pitch Report
The Wankhede Stadium pitch remains one of India’s finest batting surfaces for T20 cricket matches across all formats.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Nature | The surface offers flat conditions with even bounce that favors batters. Players can trust the bounce and play shots freely. |
| Batting Assistance | The ball comes nicely onto the bat, making stroke-play easier. The pitch maintains its character throughout the match. |
| Bowling Assistance | Fast bowlers get some early movement with the new ball. Spinners must use clever variations as the natural turn is limited. |
| Boundary Size | Square boundaries are about 60-65 meters. Straight boundaries stretch to around 75-80 meters. |
| Ideal First Innings Score | Teams batting first aim for 175-185 runs. Totals above 180 put pressure on the chasing side. |
| Toss Impact | Winning the toss and batting first helps teams set targets. Morning dew is less of a factor than evening games. |
The Wankhede pitch encourages positive cricket with its reliable bounce and quick outfield conditions.
Both teams will target the powerplay overs to build strong foundations for their innings.
Squads
Both nations have assembled 15-player squads that blend experienced campaigners with promising young talent for this World Cup journey.
West Indies Squad
Shai Hope (c & wk), Johnson Charles (wk), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd
Nepal Squad
Rohit Paudel (c), Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Dipendra Singh Airee, Basir Ahamad, Kushal Bhurtel, Gulsan Jha, Sundeep Jora, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lokesh Bam, Sher Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav
West Indies brings a powerful lineup with match-winners throughout their batting and bowling departments. Nepal features a tight-knit squad with players who have delivered against top teams in recent years.
Key Players to Watch
Several talented cricketers from both sides could turn the match with their skills and ability to handle pressure situations.
Key Batters
| Player | Team | T20I Stats | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon King | West Indies | 1,917 runs in 80 matches at an average of 26.26, SR 133.68 | Opening batter who provides quick starts in powerplay |
| Rovman Powell | West Indies | 2,150 runs in 112 matches at an average of 25.59, SR 141.44 | Hard-hitting middle-order batter and powerful finisher |
| Shimron Hetmyer | West Indies | 1,432 runs in 77 matches at an average of 23.47, SR 135.60 | Aggressive left-handed batter with six-hitting ability |
| Rohit Paudel | Nepal | 1,699 runs in 78 matches at an average of 27.85, SR 119.64 | Captain and middle-order batter with smart game sense |
| Kushal Bhurtel | Nepal | 1841 runs in 72 matches at an average of 28.76, SR 127.31 | An opening batter who plays fearless cricket |
Key Bowlers
| Player | Team | T20I Stats | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akeal Hosein | West Indies | 87 wickets in 92 matches at an economy rate of 7.39 | Left-arm spinner with tight control in powerplay |
| Jason Holder | West Indies | 101 wickets in 91 matches at an economy of 8.72 | Tall, fast bowler who gets extra bounce |
| Romario Shepherd | West Indies | 81 wickets in 76 matches at an economy rate of 9.95 | All-rounder who provides crucial death bowling |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | Nepal | 130 wickets in 70 matches at an economy rate of 6.08 | Star leg-spinner with excellent variations |
| Sompal Kami | Nepal | 81 wickets in 86 matches at an economy rate of 7.14 | Experienced seamer and useful lower-order batter |
These players bring championship experience and have performed well in pressure moments throughout their international careers.
Head-to-Head Record
West Indies and Nepal have met only a few times in T20 cricket, with Nepal showing they can challenge the Caribbean giants.
| Match Format | Total Matches Played | West Indies Won | Nepal Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
West Indies and Nepal have faced each other in 3 matches in T20. Out of these 3 games, the West Indies have won 1, whereas Nepal has come out victorious on 2 occasions. This record shows Nepal’s growing confidence against established teams.
Nepal’s victories prove they can upset bigger nations when they play to their potential. West Indies will take this match seriously after losing their previous encounters. Both teams understand the importance of this Group C match for their tournament hopes.
Live Streaming & Broadcast Details
Cricket fans around the world can watch this exciting match through various broadcast partners across different regions and streaming platforms.
| Region/Country | Television | Digital/Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports Network | JioHotstar |
| Pakistan | PTV, Myco | Tamasha, ARY Zapp, Tapmad |
| United Kingdom & Ireland | Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event | NOW |
| United States | Willow TV | Willow DTC, CricBuzz DTC, Willow YouTube |
| West Indies | ESPN | – |
| Nepal | Kantipur TV | ICC.tv (selected matches) |
| Sri Lanka | Dialog TV, TV Supreme, PEO TV | ThePapare.com, Dialog Play app |
Indian viewers get complete coverage on Star Sports Network with expert analysis in multiple languages. JioHotstar offers convenient streaming for mobile and computer platforms with special camera angles and interactive features for an enhanced viewing experience.
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Conclusion: Underdogs ready to roar
Nepal enters this match as clear underdogs but carries the confidence of their previous victories over the West Indies. The Caribbean team brings more experience and firepower to this contest.
However, Nepal’s fighting spirit and belief in their abilities make this match unpredictable. The Wankhede Stadium could witness a memorable upset if Nepal’s key players deliver their best performance on cricket’s biggest stage.
