Australia, South Africa, England target key wins on T20 World Cup Day 5

KATHMANDU: Australia, one of the tournament favorites, will make its opening appearance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on Wednesday, with all teams set to complete at least one match.

The defending champions of the T20 format will face Ireland in Colombo in a crucial Group B clash. Ireland, coming off a defeat in their first game, remain on zero points, while Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka top the group with one win each.

Earlier in the day, two Test-playing nations, South Africa and Afghanistan, will square off in Ahmedabad in a Group D encounter.

South Africa enter the game with two points, while Afghanistan are yet to open their account. New Zealand currently leads the group with four points from two wins, making the South Africa–Afghanistan clash pivotal in determining which teams will advance to the Super Eight stage.

The day’s final match, set for Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, features an exciting Group A showdown between England and West Indies.

Both sides claimed victories in their opening matches, holding two points each. The outcome of this fixture is expected to play a decisive role in deciding which team progresses to the Super Eight round.

With Nepal also in this group, cricket fans across the country will be closely following the match, eagerly anticipating the results.