Nepal vs Scotland: Dipendra & Kushal script history as Nepal clinch first T20 World Cup win after 12 years

Nepal finally ended their long wait for a win at the T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket victory over Scotland in a Group C match on Tuesday. It was their first win in the tournament in 12 years. The last time Nepal had won a T20 World Cup match was in 2014, when they beat Afghanistan and the Netherlands on their debut.

Although both teams were already out of the race for the Super Eights, Nepal gave their fans something to cheer about at the Wankhede Stadium, where more than 19,000 spectators turned up.

Nepal's chase

Chasing a target of 171, Nepal reached 171 for 3 in 19.2 overs. Dipendra Singh Airee played a match-winning knock, staying unbeaten on 50 from just 23 balls, hitting three sixes and four fours. Kushal Bhurtel also gave Nepal a strong start with 43 runs. Later, Gulsan Jha added an unbeaten 24 and shared a crucial 73-run partnership with Airee to guide the team home with four balls left.

Earlier in the chase, Bhurtel had a lucky moment when Brad Currie dropped a return catch. He made Scotland pay soon after with a big six. Nepal started carefully but began to score freely once they settled in. Aasif Sheikh scored 33 and attacked the bowlers, including hitting a six over fine leg. In one over from Mark Watt, Nepal collected 23 runs.

Michael Leask picks three

However, Scotland fought back through spinner Michael Leask, who took three wickets. Bhurtel was caught at midwicket after scoring 43, and Aasif was dismissed soon after. Captain Rohit Paudel also fell for 16, which briefly put Nepal under pressure. But Airee shifted the momentum by smashing two sixes and a four in the 16th over, scoring 20 runs off it. From there, Nepal stayed in control.

Scotland's batting

Earlier, Scotland had posted 170 for 7, thanks mainly to Michael Jones, who scored 71 from 45 balls with eight fours and three sixes. He shared an 80-run opening stand with George Munsey, who made 27 but struggled to score quickly. Munsey’s frustration showed when he got out at the end of the 10th over.

There were a few missed chances in the field, including a dropped catch by Nepal’s Sundeep Jora. Jones continued to attack and even hit a massive 94-metre six into the balcony of his team’s dressing room. But his innings ended in the 16th over when Sompal Kami bowled him and later took a sharp return catch to dismiss McMullen.