The build-up to the tournament has been far from straightforward. Political tensions have shaped the narrative, with Bangladesh withdrawing at the last minute, allowing Scotland to step in as replacements. Hampshire and Scotland seamer Brad Wheal has spoken about the late call-up.
Read the full story here (Hampshire’s Brad Wheal Thrust Into Action With Scotland In Remarkable Fashion For Upcoming T20 World Cup).
Further intrigue surrounds the competition after the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed it will boycott the high-profile, lucrative clash against India, originally scheduled for 15 February in Colombo, adding another twist to an already compelling tournament.
.png)
The World Cup will feature 20 teams, split into five groups, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super 8s, beginning on 21 February.
Group A: India, Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands, USA
Group B: Australia, Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe
Group C: England, Italy, Nepal, Scotland, West Indies
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, UAE
England begin their campaign against Nepal on 8 February in Mumbai, arriving at the World Cup in red-hot form.
Led by Harry Brook, England have bounced back impressively from a disappointing winter in Australia, rediscovering balance, clarity and momentum during a dominant white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. A 3-0 T20I clean sweep over a very decent Sri Lankan side has shifted the narrative and restored confidence.
.png)
Scrutiny had surrounded head coach Brendon McCullum and Brook following off-field criticism and disappointing Ashes results, but England’s response has been emphatic. The T20 side has now won 10 of their last 11 internationals, drawing comparisons with the ruthless white-ball team built under World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan.
Hampshire’s clutch all-rounder Liam Dawson has been central to England’s resurgence. Since returning to the T20I setup in June 2025, Dawson has claimed 16 wickets in 13 matches, forming a formidable spin partnership with Adil Rashid, built on control, accuracy and pressure through the middle overs.
Read more on Dawson’s Sri Lanka series here - (Dawson Helps Red-Hot England Clean Sweep Sri Lanka Ahead of the T20 World Cup)
Another key figure in the England set-up is the gun all-rounder Sam Curran, the Player of the Tournament during England’s 2022 T20 World Cup triumph. Curran was again outstanding in Sri Lanka, earning Player of the Series honours thanks to his clutch performances - including a match-saving 58 from 48 balls in the third T20I and a hat-trick in the first.
England’s best white-ball bowler Adil Rashid also reached a major milestone during the Sri Lanka tour, becoming the first England bowler to claim 150 T20I wickets, underlining his importance heading into the World Cup.
With all-rounders an invaluable commodity in the T20 format, England head into the tournament with six of them, offering balance and flexibility across conditions.
Harry Brook (captain), 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.
England's 11 against Nepal: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (capt), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.
vs Nepal - Sunday 8 February, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (9:30am)
vs West Indies - Wednesday 11 February, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (1:30pm)
vs Scotland - Saturday 14 February, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (9:30am)
vs Italy - Monday 16 February, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (9:30am)
The Super 8 stage starting on 21st February features pre-determined seeding:
X Group: India (X1), Australia (X2), West Indies (X3), South Africa (X4)
Y Group: England (Y1), New Zealand (Y2), Pakistan (Y3), Sri Lanka (Y4)
Any team qualifying in place of a seeded side will assume that position in the Super 8s.
If the seeded teams progress as expected, England could face Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand in the Super 8 stage - with all matches scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, presenting a familiar challenge after their recent tour.
England last lifted the T20 World Cup in 2022 in Australia, and no nation has ever won the tournament three times. With momentum restored, combinations clicking and key players peaking at the right time, Brook’s side head into the competition with history beckoning.
For England, this could be a chance to reassert themselves as the best white-ball side on the biggest stage of all.
The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup gets underway on 7 February, with Pakistan facing the Netherlands in the opening fixture. The tournament will be hosted across India and Sri Lanka, with the final set to take place on 8 March.
The South African-born right-hand bowler is involved in Scotland’s World Cup squad with the tournament commencing on Saturday 7th February.
