Nepal beat Scotland by 7 Wickets as Dipendra Singh Airee stars in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 thriller

Nepal produced a superb all-round display to defeat Scotland by seven wickets in their Group C encounter at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, chasing 171 with four balls remaining. During the beginning phases of Scotland’s innings, they were confidently progressing through loss of wickets. Once Scotland’s experienced partnership of Michael Jones (71 runs off 45 balls) had established sufficient tempo during the middle of the innings, and then accelerated as he paired with Brandon McMullen, they successfully began to increase the team’s run rate.

Although the combination of Jones and McMullen garnered the necessary amount of momentum towards finishing the innings in impressive style, wickets falling at regular intervals, prevented the necessary increase in run rate over the final overs of the innings to enable a “big finish” for Scotland. Nepal’s bowling unit worked well together under pressure and especially through Sompal Kami (3 wickets) who broke key partnerships at critical times of Wales innings. Sompal’s combined control of his lengths, along with his variations, severely minimized the scoring opportunities (boundaries) by Scotland and allowed Nepal to view the total as being competitive – given the fact that the pitch at Edinburgh has demonstrated serves up wickets with assistance for the stroke play.

Nepal’s chase began confidently, with openers settling quickly and rotating strike effectively. Kushal Bhurtel led the charge early, scoring a brisk 43 that laid a strong platform, while Aasif Sheikh supported with a composed 33. Scotland briefly clawed back control when Michael Leask struck three times in quick succession, raising hopes of a comeback. However, Nepal maintained composure and kept the required rate manageable, ensuring the contest stayed finely poised heading into the decisive closing overs with both teams sensing opportunity and pressure rising steadily.

See Also: Watch: Sompal Kami's two wickets in an over put Nepal back in SCO vs NEP ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Match 33

Nepal Seal Chase with Late Dominance

The turning phase arrived when Dipendra Singh Airee unleashed a counterattacking masterclass that swung momentum decisively. His unbeaten 50 from just 23 balls combined fearless hitting with smart placement, dismantling Scotland’s bowling plans. Partnered by Gulsan Jha, he added a rapid unbeaten stand exceeding seventy runs that transformed the equation. Boundaries flowed regularly, fielders were pushed back, and the required rate dropped sharply. Scotland struggled to regain control as the partnership dictated terms, shifting pressure entirely onto the fielding side during the crucial closing stages.

The victory highlighted Nepal’s growing confidence and ability to finish games under pressure, reinforcing their reputation as a rising force in global cricket. Their batting depth, composure, and calculated aggression proved decisive in a tense chase against a strong opponent. Scotland, despite posting a solid total, were left to rue missed opportunities and costly overs late in the innings. With momentum now on their side, Nepal will approach upcoming matches believing they can challenge stronger teams and continue their impressive run, while Scotland must regroup quickly to stay competitive in the tournament.

Key Moments

The match tilted decisively in the final phase of the chase when Nepal shifted from steady accumulation to aggressive strokeplay. After Scotland briefly regained control through middle-over wickets, Nepal’s lower middle order launched a calculated assault that reduced the required rate dramatically. Clean hitting, quick running between wickets, and clever targeting of weaker bowling options dismantled Scotland’s defensive plans. Once the partnership crossed fifty, the field spread and pressure reversed instantly, leaving Scotland chasing the game as Nepal confidently closed in on the target.

Top Performance

Dipendra Singh Airee delivered the standout performance with a match-winning unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls, showcasing power, composure, and superb finishing ability under pressure. His innings completely changed the tempo of the chase and neutralized Scotland’s bowling threat. Earlier, Michael Jones had set the stage with an impressive 71, anchoring Scotland’s total with authority. However, Airee’s explosive knock proved more decisive, turning a tense pursuit into a controlled finish and sealing a memorable victory for Nepal.