Nepal Beat Scotland by Seven Wickets at Wankhede

Mumbai, Feb 2026 : Nepal brought their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign to a proud close by ending a disappointing run of defeats with a memorable seven-wicket victory over Scotland in their final Group C match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 17, 2026. The win not only gave Nepal their maiden points in the tournament but also offered a strong statement of intent for the future.

After suffering three consecutive losses, Nepal showed remarkable character to bounce back under pressure. Chasing a challenging target of 171, Nepal displayed composure and attacking intent to reach 171 for 3 in 19.2 overs, sealing victory with four balls to spare. Though the result did not alter qualification outcomes, it provided Nepal with a satisfying and historic finish to their World Cup journey.

Winning the toss, Nepal opted to bowl first but were tested early by Scotland’s aggressive batting. Opener Michael Jones anchored the innings with a superb 71 off 45 deliveries, striking eight fours and three sixes in a confident display. He received support from George Munsey, who chipped in with 27, while Brandon McMullen added a useful 25 in the middle order. Scotland finished on a competitive 170 for 7 from their 20 overs.

Nepal’s bowlers held their nerve in the latter stages. Sompal Kami led the attack with an impressive spell of 3 for 25, using variations effectively to restrict Scotland’s scoring. Nandan Yadav also made a valuable contribution with figures of 2 for 34, ensuring the target remained within reach.

In reply, Nepal began confidently as openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh put on a steady 74-run partnership. Bhurtel scored 43 from 35 balls, while Aasif made a fluent 33 off 27, laying a solid platform. However, Scotland struck back through Michael Leask, who removed both openers and later dismissed skipper Rohit Paudel, leaving Nepal at 98 for 3 and briefly swinging momentum Scotland’s way.

The turning point came with the arrival of Dipendra Singh Airee. Playing with fearless intent, Airee smashed an unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. He found excellent support from Gulshan Jha, who remained unbeaten on 24 off 17 deliveries. Together, the pair added an unbroken 73-run stand for the fourth wicket, calmly dismantling the Scottish bowling attack.

Airee’s explosive strokeplay through the middle and death overs underlined Nepal’s resilience and growing batting depth. The emphatic win, while coming late in the tournament, marked a milestone moment for Nepal—ending their World Cup on a high, restoring confidence, and offering a promising glimpse into the team’s future on the global stage.

Team Maverick