T20 World Cup 2026 Group C Preview: Nepal, Scotland hope to be spanner in works for former champions

Bangladesh’s unceremonious, eleventh-hour withdrawal from this T20 World Cup paved the way for Scotland’s entry into Group C. But the European side is not the only one to have benefited from the last-minute change.

Bangladesh’s presence might have made for a closer qualification race. Now, however, West Indies and England are the overwhelming favourites in a group that also comprises Nepal and debutant Italy. England’s 4-1 drubbing at the hands of India last January forced the side to rejig its leadership. Harry Brook has taken over as captain from Jos Buttler, ushering in a new, high-octane approach for the 2022 champion.

In September last year, England posted 304 against South Africa, the highest T20I total by a Full Member, courtesy of Phil Salt’s belligerent 40-ball 161. With a strike rate in excess of 172 and an average of 43, Salt has played the disruptor up top for England in this cycle. Liberated from the weight of leadership, Buttler has been given a free hand too.

Under Brook’s charge since April 2025, the pair has scored at 11.39 per over in the first six overs, outdoing even India and Australia, who started this trend of throwing caution to the wind in the PowerPlay.

Jacob Bethell and Brook bring a similar template through the middle order, along with Tom Banton, who has found a new lease of life by embracing a role outside the top order.

Such has been the effect of England’s refurbishing that Ben Duckett, despite his flair for the audacious, might not find a place in the batting order.

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Sam Curran’s vast experience in the subcontinent through the Indian Premier League will be priceless for England. Will Jacks can chip in with his off-spin, too, once pitches wear out with time, and is likely to be the second all-rounder in the side.

Veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who will most probably take his final bow at this World Cup, is still England’s most prolific bowler. He has nabbed 23 wickets since the last World Cup at an economy of just 8.47. England has also slated Rehan Ahmed and Liam Dawson, who might still struggle to break in if the side manages to get the best out of Bethell’s part-time left-arm orthodox.

Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton and Luke Wood are contenders for the two places in the three-man pace attack that will be spearheaded by Jofra Archer.

Dodgy build-up

The outlook is not as promising for the Caribbean outfit, the other heavyweight in the group. Only one team has fared worse than the West Indies in this World Cup cycle, with the side winning just 13 of its 40 games since July 2024.

A team fractured by players’ franchise commitments, the current group has yet to live up to the reputation that comes with the West Indies name. Captain Shai Hope and key members Akeal Hosein, Sherfane Rutherford and Roston Chase all missed the side’s preparatory series against Afghanistan due to the SA20.

The final series before the World Cup, against South Africa, was then reduced to just three games because of time constraints.

Romario Shepherd is the undisputed match-winner in the squad and has contributed with both bat and ball, collecting 35 wickets and scoring 442 runs in this World Cup cycle. West Indies can also rely on Hosein, whose inventive change-ups have been a revelation for slow left-arm orthodox bowling. Mixing his pace and trajectory effectively, Hosein has taken 35 wickets since July 2024 at an economy rate under seven.

These silver linings, however, do not outweigh the broader problems. The rest of the lineup, particularly the batting, has significant ground to cover if West Indies is to be a genuine contender for the Super Eights.

A PowerPlay run rate of under eight an over since July 2024 forced the management to reshuffle at the top. Evin Lewis has been dropped, with Brandon King likely to partner Johnson Charles.

Hope has been the most prolific batter at No. 3, averaging 37, but even he could benefit from accelerating his scoring. Rovman Powell is expected to anchor the middle order, though his strike rate of 137.41 in this cycle is below his usual standards.

Shimron Hetmyer, meanwhile, has been unable to provide sustained momentum in the middle overs. While his strike rate of (176.79) remains healthy, inconsistency and limited volume (320 runs @22.85) have blunted his impact in a lineup already short on reliability.

Another concern is finding a spinner to adequately support Hosein. Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase have been used the most, but both trail Hosein significantly, with only 15 wickets each in the same period.

The pace attack, apart from Jason Holder, remains largely inexperienced. Alzarri Joseph’s absence through injury only compounds the issue.

Springing a surprise

But playing catch-up at the World Cup can be a risk-laden proposition, especially with Nepal around.

Only one run separated Nepal from South Africa in an upset win during the group stage in the last edition.

With Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee and Sandeep Lamichhane still around, Nepal will be on the prowl against England and West Indies, hoping that a giant-killing will finally convince world cricket of how close it is to the upper echelon.

Italy, meanwhile, will also fancy its chances of going back with a win. It defeated Scotland by 12 runs in the Europe Qualifier, and the two have been pitted together again.

Italy prepared for the World Cup with a three-match series against Ireland and got a taste of what life without Joe Burns would look like. The former Australia batter had led the side through the Qualifier but will not feature at the World Cup due to a contractual dispute.

The 36-year-old Wayne Madsen will lead the unit in Burns’ absence, in a campaign where Italy has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

(Stats as of January 22)

Published on Feb 06, 2026