CAN vs NEP Dream11 Prediction, ICC Men's T20 World Cup Warm-up Playing XI, Fantasy Tips & Pitch Report

CAN vs NEP Match Preview

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup Warm up Matches bring an exciting contest between Canada and Nepal at the historic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Nepal enters this game on the back of a stunning five match winning streak, looking to fine tune their spin attack on Indian soil. Meanwhile, Canada has shown grit with four wins in their last five outings. Fantasy users should keep a close eye on spin wizards like Sandeep Lamichhane and consistent batters like Dilpreet Bajwa, as the conditions in Chennai are expected to play a massive role in deciding the outcome of your fantasy contests.

Match Details

• Match: Canada vs Nepal
• Date: 05 Feb 2026
• Time: 15:00 IST (Local Time)
• Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Weather Report

Chennai is expected to be warm and humid for this T20 clash. Temperatures will hover around 30°C, ensuring a dry surface. Since this is a day match starting at 15:00 IST, the dew factor is unlikely to impact the first innings, though it might settle in slightly during the late stages of the second innings. The dry heat will likely assist spinners, making the pitch slower as the game progresses.

Pitch Report & Venue Stats

The surface at MA Chidambaram Stadium is traditionally known to favor spinners, but recent stats show a balanced contest. The average score in the last 5 matches is 149 runs, indicating that batters might struggle to post huge totals. Interestingly, pacers have picked up 33 wickets compared to 24 wickets by spinners in recent games, suggesting that cutters and slower balls will be effective. Fantasy users should focus on bowlers who vary their pace and technical batters who can play long innings.

Team Form & Head to-Head

Canada (CAN)

• Last 5 Matches: L, W, W, W, W
• Recent Form: Canada lost their most recent game against Italy but won the previous four comfortably. Their batting has been led by Dilpreet Bajwa.
• H2H: They have a competitive record with 4 wins in head to-head encounters.

Nepal (NEP)

• Last 5 Matches: W, W, W, W, W
• Recent Form: Nepal is in red hot form, winning five on the trot. Their bowling attack, led by Sandeep Lamichhane, has been lethal.
• H2H: Nepal also holds 4 wins in head to-head matchups, making this a battle of equals.

Injury Updates & Player Availability

• Canada: All players from the squad appear fully fit. Navneet Dhaliwal and Saad Bin Zafar are expected to lead the charge.
• Nepal: No major injury concerns. Rohit Paudel will lead a full strength side.

Probable Playing XI

Canada

Navneet Dhaliwal, Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa, Nicholas Kirton, Harsh Thaker, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shreyas Movva, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, Jaskaran Singh

Nepal

Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sundeep Jora, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi

Key Players to Watch

• Sandeep Lamichhane: The star leg spinner is a must have on a Chennai track. He recently took 5 wickets in a single game and thrives on turning surfaces.
• Dilpreet Bajwa: He has been the backbone of Canada's batting, scoring 37, 36, and 55 runs in his last few outings. He handles spin well.
• Dipendra Singh Airee: An excellent all rounder for Nepal. He scored 50 runs and took a wicket recently, offering points in both departments.
• Saad Bin Zafar: The Canada skipper bowls tight left arm spin, which is very effective at MA Chidambaram Stadium. He is a safe pick for fantasy points.
• Nicholas Kirton: With a series average of 53 points, he is a reliable middle order batter who can anchor the innings if early wickets fall.

Fantasy Picks

Small League Safe Picks

• Sandeep Lamichhane
• Dilpreet Bajwa
• Dipendra Singh Airee

Mega League Differential Picks

• Kaleem Sana: A quality left arm pacer who can pick up early wickets. His selection percentage might be lower than the spinners.
• Aarif Sheikh: Coming off a brilliant 61 runs in the last match, he is a solid differential if the top order collapses.

Match Prediction / Outlook

While Canada has been playing well, Nepal's spin attack is tailor made for the conditions at MA Chidambaram Stadium. With Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi in the ranks, Nepal holds a slight edge in this T20 encounter.

Disclaimer

Fantasy cricket involves risk. Always check the Final Playing XI and Toss updates before locking your fantasy team. This analysis is for informational purposes only.