The Scotland vs Nepal T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights at the Wankhede Stadium will be etched in Nepali folklore as the night the “Rhinos” finally roared on the world stage. Chasing 171 for a historic first win in 4,352 days, Nepal reached the target with 7 wickets in hand and 4 balls to spare. The chase was masterminded by *Dipendra Singh Airee (50)**, whose explosive 23-ball half-century dismantled the Scottish attack. Earlier, despite a fluent 71 from Michael Jones, Scotland suffered a late-innings collapse triggered by the veteran Sompal Kami (3/25). This result marks Nepal’s first T20 World Cup victory since they beat Afghanistan in 2014, sending over 19,000 passionate fans in Mumbai into a state of pure delirium.
Match Summary: The Colombo Carnage
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 - Match 33 - Scotland vs Nepal
Nepal’s 7-wicket victory was a testament to their growth throughout the tournament. Opting to bowl first on a batting-friendly Wankhede track, Nepal saw Scotland race to 131/1 in 15 overs. However, a masterclass in death bowling saw Scotland lose 6 wickets for just 39 runs, finishing at 170/7. Nepal’s response was aggressive from the start, with Kushal Bhurtel (43) and Aasif Sheikh (33) putting on a 74-run opening stand. Although Michael Leask (3/30) briefly threatened an upset, an unbroken 73-run partnership between Dipendra Singh Airee and Gulsan Jha (24*) ensured Nepal signed off their campaign with a win that will be celebrated for generations.
Playing XI
Scotland
George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (C), Tom Bruce, Michael Leask, Matthew Cross (WK), Mark Watt, Oliver Davidson, Brad Wheal, Brad Currie.
Nepal
Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (WK), Rohit Paudel (C), Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Aarif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Lokesh Bam, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane.
Key Stats & Records From Today's Match:
The Long Wait: This was Nepal’s first T20 World Cup win in 12 years (4,352 days), the longest gap between wins in tournament history.
Airee’s Streak: Dipendra Singh Airee has now scored three 50+ scores in his last five T20Is against Full Member or high-ranked Associate sides.
Wankhede First: This was the first time Nepal has ever won an international match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
Jones’ Personal Best: Michael Jones recorded his highest-ever T20 World Cup score (71).
Innings Breakdown
First Innings: The Great Scottish Derailing
The first half of the Scotland vs Nepal T20 World Cup 2026 match belonged to Michael Jones. His 71 off 45 balls, featuring 8 fours and 3 sixes, put Scotland in total control as they reached 80/1 at the halfway mark. When Brandon McMullen (25) joined him, a 200+ total seemed inevitable. However, Nepal’s veteran seamer Sompal Kami turned the game on its head in the death overs. By utilizing his experience and clever changes of pace, he took 3/25, ensuring Scotland only added 39 runs in the final five overs to finish on a sub-par 170/7.
Second Innings: The Dipendra Singh Airee Show
Nepal’s chase was clinical. Kushal Bhurtel (43) survived an early drop to set a blistering pace in the Powerplay. While Michael Leask (3/30) bowled a dream spell to remove the top three, *Dipendra Singh Airee (50)** refused to let the 12-year wait continue. He played with a “see-ball, hit-ball” mentality, reaching his half-century in just 23 balls. His partnership with Gulsan Jha (24*) was a masterclass in pressure management, as they romped home in 19.2 overs, sparkled by Airee’s trademark lofted drives over long-on.
The “4352-Day” Sentiment: This win isn’t just about the points; it’s about the 4352-day wait. Nepal’s last win in a T20 World Cup came when many of the current players were still in school. The sheer emotional weight of this victory was visible as Sompal Kami celebrated his return-catch with a “meditation pose,” signaling for peace after a turbulent campaign. Furthermore, the fact that over 19,000 fans attended a “dead rubber” match on a weekday in Mumbai proves that Nepal is currently the most passionately supported Associate nation in the world.
Top Performers
Dipendra Singh Airee (50 off 23 balls) - Player of the Match
Airee was the architect of the win. His strike rate of 217.39 and his ability to hit sixes at will ensured that Nepal never felt the scoreboard pressure. His performance was a reminder of why he is considered one of the most dangerous finishers in Associate cricket.
Sompal Kami (3/25 off 4 overs) - The Veteran's Resurgence
Playing his first game of the tournament, Kami proved why experience matters. His three wickets in the death overs, including a stunning caught-and-bowled, were the primary reason Scotland failed to reach a winning total.
Michael Jones (71 off 45 balls) - The Lone Scottish Warrior
Despite the loss, Jones was exceptional. His footwork against Sandeep Lamichhane was the best of the tournament, and his 71 remains one of the highest individual scores at the Wankhede in this edition.
Key Moments & Turning Points: The "Bat-Stuck" Run Out
The Kami Knuckle-Ball: Scotland were cruising toward 200 until Sompal Kami cleaned up Michael Jones (71) with a perfect knuckle-ball in the 16th over. This triggered a collapse that saw Scotland’s projected total drop by 30 runs.
The “One-Handed” Stunner: In the same 16th over, Sompal Kami pulled off a breathtaking one-handed return catch to dismiss Brandon McMullen. This double-strike took the momentum away from the Scots and handed it to the “Rhinos.”
The Leask Counter-Assault: With the required rate climbing, Dipendra Singh Airee smashed back-to-back sixes off Michael Leask in the 16th over. This 20-run over reduced the equation to a comfortable run-a-ball and silenced the Scottish fightback.
What This Result Means for Group C
While both teams were already out of Super 8 contention, the win moves Nepal to 5th place in Group C with their heads held high. They finish with 2 points, level with Italy and Scotland, but with a renewed sense of belief. For Scotland, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow as they finish their campaign with just one win. This result highlights the narrowing gap between the top Associate nations and the “nearly-there” sides.
T20 World Cup 2026 Group C Points Table
Final Group C Points Table
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