England Bats First, Loses Early Wicket Against Nepal

England is playing Nepal in the T20 World Cup. England chose to bat first, but lost a player for only 1 run in the first over. This is an important match for both teams.
By Newsroom | Cricket, World Cup |

The Match Begins with a Sudden Turn

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, England and Nepal faced off at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. England, after winning the toss, chose to bat first. However, their innings experienced an early jolt when Phil Salt was dismissed for just 1 run in the very first over, caught off the bowling of Sher Malla. This event marked a significant moment in the early stages of the match, setting a tone of potential challenges for the English side against a determined Nepali team. The atmosphere was charged as a heavyweight contender began its campaign against an aspiring nation.

Match Context and Team Formations

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is underway at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This particular match, the 5th in Group C, pits England against Nepal.

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Scorecard: England vs Nepal, T20 World Cup, Mumbai - 1

England entered the tournament with a strong record, having won 10 of their last 11 T20 matches. Their squad is noted for its depth, power, and a well-practiced approach to white-ball cricket, characterized by aggressive batting and adaptable bowling strategies.

Nepal, on the other hand, also demonstrated recent success, securing six wins in their preceding matches before the World Cup. They are known for their fearless style of play and aim to make a mark against a favored opponent.

Scorecard: England vs Nepal, T20 World Cup, Mumbai - 2

The toss was won by England, who elected to bat. The match is being played under clear, warm conditions in Mumbai, with temperatures around 28–30°C.

Key Player and Team Lineups

The reported playing XIs for the match are:

  • Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla.

  • England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.

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Key players to watch include England's aggressive openers and Nepal's bowling unit, which has shown promise.

Scorecard: England vs Nepal, T20 World Cup, Mumbai - 3

Initial Innings Developments and Notable Dismissal

The match commenced with England batting first. The opening partnership between Philip Salt and Jos Buttler was short-lived as Sher Malla struck in the first over.

  • Phil Salt was dismissed for 1 run off 2 balls. The dismissal occurred at 1.1 overs, with the score at 5/1. This event provided an early breakthrough for Nepal and a setback for England.

  • Sher Malla's over resulted in 14 runs conceded and 1 wicket taken, a notable performance for the debutant in T20 Internationals.

Following Salt's departure, Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell were at the crease. At the end of 3.1 overs, England's score was 29 for 1, with Jos Buttler batting on 13 and Jacob Bethell on 15.

Scorecard: England vs Nepal, T20 World Cup, Mumbai - 4

Pitch Conditions and Strategic Considerations

The Wankhede Stadium pitch is described as a used wicket, which is expected to offer some turn. This characteristic of the pitch was noted by Nepal's captain, Rohit Paudel, who indicated a preference for bowling first, believing that playing multiple games at the venue could offer an advantage. The slow nature of the track is considered favorable for teams that adapt well to such conditions.

Expert Commentary and Analysis

  • "As a batter, you want to get as many runs as you can." This sentiment highlights the fundamental objective for batsmen in a T20 game, emphasizing the pressure on players like Phil Salt to perform.

  • The combination of left-right batting (Buttler and Bethell) is seen as a tactical advantage for England, testing the flexibility of the opposition bowlers.

  • Commentary suggests that Jos Buttler found his timing later in the innings, indicating a period of settling in before finding his rhythm.

Match Statistics and Scorecard Snapshot (Early Innings)

BatsmanRunsBalls4s6sSRStatus
Philip Salt1250.00c Lamichhane b Sher Malla
Jos Buttler13112118.18batting
Jacob Bethell15621250.00batting
Extras
Total29/13.1 Overs9.16

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BowlerOversMaidensRunsWicketsEconomy
Karan KC2.0147.00
Sher Malla1.014114.00
Dipendra S. Airee0.116.00

The early dismissal of Phil Salt suggests a potential vulnerability in England's opening partnership against Nepal's bowlers.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The match between England and Nepal began with England opting to bat and losing an early wicket. The early performance of Sher Malla in dismissing Phil Salt underscores Nepal's potential to challenge established teams. The subsequent partnership between Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell aimed to stabilize England's innings and build a competitive total on a pitch that is expected to assist spinners. The result of this early exchange could influence the momentum of the game and the strategic approaches of both teams as the match progresses.

Sources

Read More: T20 World Cup 2026 Games Start in India and Sri Lanka

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the toss between England and Nepal?
England won the toss and chose to bat first.
Q: How many runs did Phil Salt score?
Phil Salt scored only 1 run before he was out.
Q: Who took the wicket of Phil Salt?
Sher Malla from Nepal took the wicket of Phil Salt.
Q: Where is the match being played?
The match is being played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.