NEP vs ITA: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats

• Fixture: Nepal vs Italy
• Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Group C
• Match: 17th Match, Group C
• Date & Time: 12 February 2026, 3:00 PM IST
• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India

Match Preview

Nepal will face Italy in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Mumbai, where they will face Nepal in Group C. Nepal is looking to secure its first World Cup win in over a decade. They came very close against England in the tournament opener where they lost by just four runs in a thrilling encounter. The defeat was heartbreaking but they showed that they can compete.

Italy is playing in the Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time. They will be determined to make an impact after a heavy defeat against Scotland in their opening group match. However, their qualification for the World Cup was historic. They got here by defeating strong teams from the European qualification route.

Both the teams had developed well in the warm-up matches ahead of the tournament. Nepal registered wins against Canada and the United Arab Emirates and showed their ability to chase and defend totals. Despite mixed results in the warm-up matches, Italy have also had a competitive season.

This match is not just about points for either team. Nepal will be looking to break their long-standing win drought in World Cup matches and consolidate their position in Group C. Italy will be looking to secure their first win at the global stage and boost their confidence in their maiden campaign. Both teams badly need this win.

NEP vs ITA – Head to Head (T20Is)

Nepal and Italy have no head-to-head record in official T20 international matches before this World Cup match.

NEP vs ITA – Squad List

Pitch Report – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Team Analysis

Nepal

Nepal have an effective middle order with match winners at key positions who can build innings. They have quality spin options including Sandeep Lamichhane who is world class. They are competitive in close encounters against strong opponents like England.

Their concern is that they are still looking for their first win in the T20 World Cup after many attempts. They will have to improve their consistency against different bowling attacks who keep changing tactics. They often lose matches that they should have won.

Key players to watch are Kushal Bhurtel who is an aggressive top order run maker. Deependra Singh is an all-round threat with an airy bat and ball that can change games. Sandeep Lamichhane is their main spin weapon who takes wickets in the middle overs.

Italy

Italy have achieved a historic qualification for their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which is very important for Italian cricket. Their batting performance at the associate level has been very strong which shows that they can score runs quickly when the conditions are in their favour.

Their concern is their lack of experience at the highest level against world class bowlers. Their bowling attack suffered a major blow at the start of the tournament against Scotland which led to a big drop in their net run rate.

Key players include Benjamin Manenti who is an experienced all-rounder contributor. Grant Stewart is a pace threat who can strike early with the new ball. JJ Smuts is a versatile all-rounder who bats and bowls.

Toss Prediction

With fog likely to persist in Mumbai in the afternoon, the captain who wins the toss may choose to bat first. This will allow the chasers to score competitively before the conditions clear up a bit. Fog makes bowling difficult and chasing easier.

Cricbites Match Prediction

Cricbites Prediction: Nepal start as favourites on paper due to their strong recent performances and greater experience in high-pressure T20 tournaments. Italy can still be competitive if key players perform on the day.

Final Thoughts

This Group C clash features Nepal’s hunger for a historic World Cup win and Italy’s desire to make an impact in their maiden campaign. Both teams are in dire need of points. Both teams are trying to put up defensible scores in a competitive batting match. The crucial spin battles in the middle overs between Lamichhane and the Italian batsmen will set the pace. The captains will make tactical changes throughout the match as the situation changes.

Both teams understand the importance of winning points early in the group stage. This makes the encounter crucial for their respective campaigns and the survival of the tournament. Nepal are the favourites based on experience and quality players. But Italy will fight hard. They qualified for this World Cup. They deserve to be here. They will not give up easily.

If Nepal performs properly, they should win this match. They have better players and more World Cup experience. But they will have to face the pressure of being favourites. They have lost the match they should have won earlier. If Nepal panic or the Italian bowlers take early wickets, Italy can trouble them. This match will be closer than it looks on paper.

Read More: SL vs OMA: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats

Disclaimer

This preview and prediction is based on current teams, recent performances, pitch expectations and available statistics. Cricket is still unpredictable. Toss decisions, weather and individual talent can change the outcome. Nepal needs this win to break their World Cup drought. Italy needs this win to prove themselves. Both teams will fight hard.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who is the captain of Italy in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?

Italy’s captain in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is Wayne Madsen.

Q2. Who is the captain of Nepal in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?

Nepal’s captain in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is Rohit Paudel.

Q3. When and at what time will NEP vs ITA be played?

Italy will face Nepal on 12 February 2026. This match is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM IST.

Q4. Where will the match be played?

The NEP vs ITA T20 World Cup 2026 match will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India.

Q5. What is the match number of NEP vs ITA in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?

This match is the 17th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.