Mumbai, India – Dipendra Singh Airee delivered a stunning performance, smashing an unbeaten half-century as Nepal secured a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Scotland in their final T20 World Cup 2026 Group C match at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. This marks Nepal’s first win on the T20 World Cup stage since 2014, ending their campaign on a high note.
The victory, achieved with four balls to spare, was built on a powerful late-order surge after Scotland posted a competitive 170-7. While neither team could progress to the Super 8 stage – with England and the West Indies already qualified from the group – Nepal’s win provides a significant morale boost and a memorable moment for their fans. Scotland, late entrants to the tournament following Bangladesh’s withdrawal, finished with one victory in four group-stage matches.
Airee’s Explosive Finish Seals Historic Win
Chasing 171 for victory, Nepal initially relied on a solid opening partnership before Airee took center stage. He finished with an incredible 50 not out off just 23 balls, propelling Nepal towards the target. The key partnership between Airee and Gulshan Jha, an unbroken 73-run stand off 36 balls, proved decisive. Jha arrived at the crease with Nepal needing 72 runs from 40 balls, and the pair quickly turned the tide, targeting Scotland’s off-spinner Leask in a particularly damaging 16th over that yielded 20 runs, including two maximums from Airee. According to reports from Sportstar, approximately 19,000 fans, largely clad in Nepal’s red and blue, witnessed the historic victory at the Wankhede Stadium.
Scotland’s Collapses Costs Them
Earlier, Scotland, after being place into bat, looked well-positioned for a larger total thanks to a fluent 71 from Michael Jones off 45 balls. However, their innings suffered a mid-collapse, slipping from 132-1 to 162-7, ultimately finishing on 170-7. Sompal was the pick of Nepal’s bowlers, claiming 3-25. George Munsey struggled to find his rhythm, scoring 27 off 29 balls, while Jones’s impressive innings was the highlight of Scotland’s batting effort. Leask was Scotland’s most successful bowler, taking 3-30, but his efforts weren’t enough to contain Nepal’s late onslaught. The BBC reported that Scotland’s campaign finished on a “low note” after the defeat.
Nepal’s T20 World Cup Journey
This win comes after a narrow defeat against England in Nepal’s tournament opener, a match that went down to the wire. The victory over Scotland provides a positive conclusion to their T20 World Cup 2026 sojourn. The team’s performance has been a source of national pride, with a large contingent of supporters traveling to India to cheer them on. Dipendra Singh Airee’s performance has been particularly noteworthy, solidifying his status as a key player for Nepal. Outlook India highlighted Airee’s 23-ball fifty as the pivotal moment in the chase.
Nepal’s victory marks a significant milestone for the nation’s cricket program, demonstrating their growing competitiveness on the international stage. While the focus now shifts to future tournaments, this win will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers in Nepal. The team will look to build on this momentum and continue their progress in the years to come.
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