🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: M25: WI vs NEP at Mumbai🏏

🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: M25: WI vs NEP at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 15/02/2026 at 11:00 AM IST🏏

West Indies and Nepal meet in Group C with their campaigns moving in very different directions. Two convincing wins over Scotland and England have put West Indies comfortably on top of the table, and within touching distance of a Super 8s berth. Nepal, meanwhile, are still searching for their first points after narrowly missing out against England, followed by a heavy defeat to newcomers Italy, leaving this game increasingly important for their survival.

West Indies have looked well-rounded so far. They defended 182 against Scotland with control and followed it up with a strong all-round display against England, underlining both their batting depth and the effectiveness of their spin through the middle overs. The power game has been backed by composure, with different players stepping up at different stages, giving them the balance that has separated them from the rest of the group.

Nepal's campaign has followed a more uneven arc. They pushed England close in their opener, showing intent and belief in a chase that fell short by just four runs. But they were unable to build on that effort as Italy handed them a 10-wicket drubbing. The batting has shown flashes of enterprise, yet partnerships have not lasted long enough, while the bowling has struggled to sustain pressure. Against a confident West Indies side, Nepal will need a far more complete performance to stay in contention.

Team news

West Indies packed a punch against England and won't feel the need to tinker with their XI on the same ground.

West Indies (probable): 1 Brandon King, 2 Shai Hope (capt), 3 Shimron Hetmyer, 4 Roston Chase, 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Jason Holder, 8 Romario Shepherd, 9 Akeal Hosein, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Shamar Joseph

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel was down with fever on Friday night but should be good to go on Sunday after taking some medicines, Stuart Law said.

Nepal (probable): 1 Kushal Bhurtel, 2 Aasif Sheikh (wk), 3 Rohit Paudel (capt), 4 Dipendra Singh Airee, 5 Aarif Sheikh, 6 Lokesh Bam, 7 Gulshan Jha, 8 Karan KC, 9 Nandan Yadav, 10 Sandeep Lamichhane, 11 Lalit Rajbanshi

In the spotlight

After being beaten by Michael Leask's arm ball in their opening match, Shai Hope would have been miffed for falling to a not-so-great ball against England. He bagged a duck and will be eager to lift his strike rate of 76 from the two games - the only West Indies batter who has struck at under 100 - as the tournament picks up pace and teams firm up their plans as per conditions and opposition. Hope will, however, draw confidence from the fact that he has been West Indies' leading scorer since the last T20 World Cup and their top boundary-hitter too, for both fours and sixes.

Nepal will be looking for a cracking start to overcome their Italian heartbreak, and they don't need to look any further than opening batter Kushal Bhurtel. He had taken down Jofra Archer and Luke Wood with a boundary barrage against the new ball that saw him smash 29 off 17. He is, however, due a big score and with his jersey number 14 as a dedication to Ricky Ponting, the muscular batter would want to emulate his idol in a crunch match.

When: Match 25, Sunday, February 15 at 11:00 AM Local Time

Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

What to expect: Four matches have been played at the Wankhede stadium in this World Cup and yet a 200-plus total has remained elusive, which goes against the usual high-scoring reputation of the venue. West Indies' 196 is the highest total at this ground, while Nepal came within four runs of England's 184. Even India didn't find it easy against the USA, finishing with 161, which they then defended comfortably. Spinners have found some assistance, and this being the first 11 AM start at this ground, pacers could also come into play early.

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Pitch Report

The two matches played at the Wankhede Stadium so far have produced closely fought contests, with batting proving largely challenging. Similar conditions are expected in the upcoming fixture as well. Bowlers are likely to enjoy the surface, with ample opportunities to pick up wickets whenever batters are put under immense pressure.

WI vs NEP Head-to-Head Record in T20s

Matches Played 03

WI Won 01

NEP Won 02

Tied / No Results 0

First-ever Fixture September 27, 2025

Last-ever Fixture September 30, 2025

WI vs NEP Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: Sherfane Rutherford

West Indies' Sherfane Rutherford could be the best batter in the upcoming game against Nepal. In two games, the southpaw has already scored 102 runs and has been his team's most impressive batter. His performance once again will be crucial in the coming contest.

Probable Best Bowler: Gudakesh Motie

A lot will depend on Gudakesh Motie if the Caribbean team wants to confirm their qualification. His four overs, especially during the middle-overs, have been very important, and the former champions will hope that he provides them with regular wickets.

Stats and trivia

West Indies are the only Full Member team Nepal have defeated, and it happened twice during the T20I series last year.

West Indies have won all three matches they have played at Wankhede in T20 World Cups.

Quotes

"I like the underdog tag. You've got a free shot; you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Hats off to Zimbabwe for their win."

Nepal head coach Stuart Law says his team is ready to take on West Indies

"Yes, they did defeat us in Sharjah, but most of our seniors weren't there. So It's a match we look forward to, but we know what they can do. We know what they're capable of."

Akeal Hosein remembers the series in which West Indies lost under him against Nepal but wants to put it behind him

Squads:

Nepal Squad: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(w), Rohit Paudel(c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sompal Kami, Sundeep Jora, Sher Malla, Basir Ahamad

West Indies Squad: Brandon King, Shai Hope(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Jayden Seales, Quentin Sampson