Nepal Secure First Win of T20 World Cup 2026 with Thrilling Chase Against Scotland
Nepal ended their disappointing run of consecutive defeats in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 with a memorable victory, defeating Scotland by seven wickets in their final Group C match at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on February 17, 2026.
After suffering three straight losses in the tournament, Nepal bounced back emphatically to claim their maiden points and victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Chasing a challenging target of 171 set by Scotland, Nepal reached 171/3 in 19.2 overs, winning with four balls to spare in a commanding performance.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Nepal faced a strong challenge from Scotland's batters. Opener Michael Jones played a brilliant knock of 71 off 45 balls (including eight fours and three sixes), anchoring the innings and helping Scotland post a competitive 170/7 in their 20 overs. George Munsey contributed 27 at the top, while Brandon McMullen added 25. Nepal's bowling was led by Sompal Kami, who claimed 3/25, while Nandan Yadav picked up 2/34. Michael Leask was Scotland's top performer with the ball later, taking 3/30.
In the chase, Nepal's openers Kushal Bhurtel (43 off 35) and Aasif Sheikh (33 off 27) provided a solid foundation with a 74-run stand. However, Leask struck back, dismissing both openers along with captain Rohit Paudel (16), reducing Nepal to 98/3 and putting them under pressure.Enter Dipendra Singh Airee, whose explosive unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls (four fours and three sixes) turned the game on its head. Partnering with Gulshan Jha (unbeaten 24 off 17), the duo forged an unbeaten 73-run fourth-wicket partnership to steer Nepal home comfortably. Airee's aggressive strokeplay in the middle and death overs proved decisive, showcasing Nepal's resilience and batting depth.
This victory, though coming too late to affect qualification, marked a historic moment for Nepal in their World Cup campaign, providing a proud finish and a boost for future aspirations.