Nepal secured their first T20 World Cup victory since 2014, defeating Scotland by seven wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The result concluded Nepal’s campaign in Group C, whereas simultaneously ending Scotland’s hopes of progressing further in the tournament.
Chasing a target of 170, Nepal reached the total with four balls to spare, finishing at 171-3. Dipendra Singh Airee was instrumental in the chase, remaining unbeaten with a half-century scored off just 23 balls. Airee’s innings included a crucial 73-run partnership with Gulshan Jha, forged after Nepal had reached 99 for three wickets, with off-spinner Michael Leask having claimed all three Scottish scalps.
Earlier, Scotland, having won the toss and electing to bat, posted 170-7 in their 20 overs. Michael Jones top-scored for Scotland with a fluent 71 off 45 balls. However, the Scottish innings faltered after a strong start, collapsing from 132-1 to 162-7. Sompal Kami played a key role in stemming the flow of runs, dismissing both Jones and Brandon McMullen in the same over.
Neither Nepal nor Scotland were in contention for a place in the Super 8 stage, with England and the West Indies having already qualified from Group C. Scotland, late entrants to the tournament following Bangladesh’s withdrawal, finished with one victory from their four group-stage matches. Nepal’s win marks a positive end to their tournament, particularly following a narrow defeat to England in their opening match.
The match at the Wankhede Stadium drew a crowd of approximately 19,000, largely comprised of supporters wearing the red and blue colors of Nepal. The victory represents a significant moment for Nepali cricket, offering a morale boost after a challenging period.
Despite Jones’s strong performance with the bat, Scotland’s batting lineup struggled to maintain momentum. George Munsey, typically a key contributor at the top of the order, could only manage 27 runs from 29 balls. Leask was Scotland’s most successful bowler, taking 3-30.
The T20 World Cup continues with further matches scheduled throughout February, with the Super 8 stage set to begin later in the month. No immediate comment was available from either the Nepal or Scotland cricket boards following the conclusion of the match.
