By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Feb 17, 2026 17:12 PM • 13 views
MUMBAI, INDIA – In a historic night that will be etched in the annals of Nepalese sports, Nepal secured their first-ever victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, defeating Scotland by 7 wickets at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
A sensational, unbeaten half-century from Dipendra Singh Airee saw Nepal chase down a challenging target of 171 with four balls to spare, sparking wild celebrations among the thousands of Nepalese fans who had turned the Mumbai stadium into a sea of red and blue.
The Chase: Airee’s Masterclass
Chasing 171 for a historic win, Nepal got off to a flying start with openers Kushal Bhurtel (43 off 34) and Aasif Sheikh (33 off 27) putting on a steady platform. However, the momentum shifted when Michael Leask (3/30) struck three quick blows, removing both openers and captain Rohit Paudel (16) to leave Nepal reeling at 100/3.
With the game hanging in the balance, Dipendra Singh Airee took centre stage. Airee played a breathtaking knock, smashing 50* off just 23 balls. His innings included 4 boundaries and 3 massive sixes, including a 20-run onslaught against Michael Leask in the 16th over that tilted the game back in Nepal’s favour. He was ably supported by Gulsan Jha (20* off 16), who finished the game with a clinical boundary off Brad Wheal.
Scotland’s Strong Start Fades
Earlier, after being put into bat, Scotland looked destined for a total well beyond 180. Michael Jones was the star for the Scots, anchoring the innings with a fluent 71 off 45 balls. Alongside George Munsey, Scotland raced to 80/1 by the 10th over.
However, Nepal’s veteran seamer Sompal Kami turned the tide. In a game-changing 16th over, Kami dismissed both the set Michael Jones and the dangerous Brandon McMullen. Sompal’s brilliant figures of 3/25, supported by Nandan Yadav (2/34), ensured Scotland was restricted to 170/7—a total that proved just short against a determined Nepalese outfit.
A Landmark Moment
While both teams were already out of contention for the next round, the significance of this victory was not lost on anyone. After 12 years since their debut in 2014, Nepal finally registered a win on the world stage, proving their growth as a cricketing nation.
