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Mumbai: Nepal defeated Scotland by 7 wickets in their fourth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, securing their first World Cup victory in 12 years. Despite losing their first three matches, including a close contest against England, Nepal stunned Scotland at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
This is Nepal’s first T20 World Cup win since 2014, when they beat Hong Kong and Afghanistan in their debut tournament. Since then, Nepal had suffered six consecutive defeats.
Although Nepal had already been eliminated from the group stage after losses to England, Italy, and West Indies, they ended their campaign on a high note with this consolation victory. Chasing Scotland’s 171-run target, Nepal reached 172/3 in 19.2 overs. Dipendra Singh Airee starred with a blazing half-century, while Kushal Bhurtel scored 43 and Aasif Sheikh added 33.
Strong start by Kushal and Aasif:
Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh gave Nepal a flying start, adding 56 runs in the powerplay—their highest in this tournament. They built a 74-run stand in 9.1 overs before Bhurtel fell just short of a fifty. Aasif contributed 33 off 27 balls with two sixes, while captain Rohit Paudel scored 16. Scotland’s Michael Leask kept Nepal under pressure with three wickets.
Dipendra and Gulshan seal the chase:
From 98/3, Airee and Gulshan Jha took charge. Airee smashed Leask for two sixes and a four in the 16th over, adding 20 runs. He finished unbeaten with 52 off 23 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes—his second consecutive fifty after scoring against West Indies. He became the first Nepali player to hit back-to-back fifties in a T20 World Cup. Gulshan Jha supported with 24 off 17 balls.
Scotland’s innings:
Batting first after Nepal won the toss, Scotland posted 170/7. Opener Michael Jones top-scored with 71, while George Munsey made 27 and Brandon McMullen 25. Scotland were 80/1 after 10 overs but collapsed in the death overs, losing 6 wickets for 90 runs. Nepal’s bowlers dominated the final five overs, conceding only 39 runs while taking 6 wickets. Sompal Kami was the standout, claiming 3/25 in 4 overs, while Nandan Yadav took 2 wickets. Captain Rohit Paudel and Kushal Bhurtel chipped in with one wicket each.
Death-over brilliance:
Sompal dismissed Jones and McMullen in the 16th over, becoming Nepal’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups with 9 wickets. Nandan Yadav bowled Matthew Cross and Leask, while Bhurtel and Paudel also struck at crucial moments. Scotland’s late collapse ensured Nepal had a manageable chase.
