Nepal Ends 12-Year T20 World Cup Drought with Historic Win Over Scotland at Wankhede
In what will surely be remembered as one of the most emotional moments in Nepal cricket history, the Nepal men’s team finished their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a memorable victory against Scotland at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. While their tournament was otherwise disappointing, including defeats against heavyweights such as England, Italy and West Indies, the Rhinos gave their passionate travelling supporters plenty to cheer about, sealing a seven-wicket win in front of a raucous crowd on Tuesday night.
Nepal’s victory was historic on multiple fronts: it marked their first win in the T20 World Cup since 2014, ending a 12-year wait and ending one of the longest droughts in the tournament’s history. Chasing a target of 171 set by Scotland, the Nepali batters showed both resilience and aggression to reach 171/3 with four balls to spare, a chase led by an electrifying performance from all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee.
Airee’s unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls provided the decisive spark Nepal needed after Scotland had looked in control at various stages of the chase. Earlier, opener Kushal Bhurtel laid a strong foundation with a brisk 43, laced with powerful hits that kept the scoreboard ticking and applied pressure back on the Scottish bowlers. The pair’s efforts set up a thrilling late-innings push that ultimately tilted the contest in Nepal’s favour.
Nepal’s victory was historic on multiple fronts: it marked their first win in the T20 World Cup since 2014, ending a 12-year wait and ending one of the longest droughts in the tournament’s history. Chasing a target of 171 set by Scotland, the Nepali batters showed both resilience and aggression to reach 171/3 with four balls to spare, a chase led by an electrifying performance from all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee.
Airee’s unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls provided the decisive spark Nepal needed after Scotland had looked in control at various stages of the chase. Earlier, opener Kushal Bhurtel laid a strong foundation with a brisk 43, laced with powerful hits that kept the scoreboard ticking and applied pressure back on the Scottish bowlers. The pair’s efforts set up a thrilling late-innings push that ultimately tilted the contest in Nepal’s favour.
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