Airee Powers Nepal to Seven-Wicket Win Over Scotland

Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee smashed a blistering half-century to guide Nepal to a seven-wicket victory over Scotland in their final group-stage match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, marking Nepal’s first win in the tournament in 12 years.

Chasing a challenging target of 171, Nepal completed the run chase in 19.2 overs losing just three wickets to register a consolation victory and end their campaign on a positive note.

Nepal, who had already been eliminated from the race for the Super Eight after defeats against England, Italy and the West Indies, secured their first T20 World Cup win since their debut in 2014.

Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh laid a strong foundation with a 74-run opening partnership, including 56 runs in the powerplay, Nepal’s highest powerplay score in this edition.

Bhurtel scored 43 runs while Aasif contributed 33 off 27 balls.

Captain Rohit Paudel added 16 before Nepal slipped to 98 for 3.

Airee then took control of the chase with an aggressive knock, scoring his half-century off just 23 balls with four fours and three sixes, registering his second consecutive fifty of the tournament and becoming the first Nepali player to achieve the feat in a T20 World Cup.

Gulshan Jha supported him well, remaining unbeaten on 24 off 17 balls, as Nepal comfortably reached the target.

Earlier, Scotland posted 170 for 7 after being invited to bat first, with opener Michael Jones scoring 71, while George Munsey made 27 and Brandon McMullen added 25. Nepal’s bowlers staged an impressive comeback in the death overs, picking up six wickets in the final five overs.

Sompal Kami was the standout performer with 3 wickets for 25 runs, while Nandan Yadav took two wickets and Rohit Paudel and Kushal Bhurtel claimed one each.

Although the win was not enough for Nepal to progress further, it marked a historic and morale-boosting victory for the team on the global stage.