Nepal sign off from T20 World Cup with win

By Pramod Joshi, Kathmandu, Feb. 18: Nepal signed off from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in style, sealing a seven-wicket victory over Scotland at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.

It was Nepal’s first World Cup win in 12 years, having last tasted success against Hong Kong and Afghanistan in their maiden appearance at the 2014 edition in Bangladesh. They went winless in their second campaign in 2024, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies.

Batting first, Scotland posted 170 for seven in their 20 overs. Opener Michael Jones top-scored with a fluent 71 off 45 balls, supported by George Munsey (27) and Brandon McMullen (25).

For Nepal, Sompal Kami – the only player to feature in all three of their World Cup campaigns – was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets. 

Nandan Yadav claimed two, while captain Rohit Paudel and Kushal Bhurtel chipped in with one apiece.

Backed by a vocal crowd of Nepali supporters, the Rhinos chased down the 171 target in 19.3 overs, losing just three wickets.

Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh gave Nepal a flying start with a 74-run stand. Bhurtel struck six sixes in his 43 off 35 balls before falling in the 10th over, while Sheikh contributed 33 from 27 deliveries.

Captain Paudel departed for 16 in the 14th over, but vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee steadied the innings with a blistering unbeaten half-century.

Airee smashed three sixes and four boundaries in his 50 off just 23 balls – his second successive fifty of the tournament after his knock against the West Indies.

He was ably supported by Gulshan Jha, who remained not out on 24 from 17 balls. Michael Leask was Scotland’s most successful bowler, taking all three Nepali wickets.

Player of the Match Airee hailed the fans and underlined the importance of the win: “Thanks to the fans. 

In the last World Cup we didn’t

win a single match, so this is very important for us. One of my best innings.

The England match was a learning experience – this is good for us.”

Captain Paudel echoed the sentiment, praising his side’s death bowling and composure. 

“Dipendra led the way. To restrict them to 170, our death bowling was great. We focused more on dot balls than wickets. Dipendra and Gulshan won the game for us. We kept our nerves calm – both bowlers and batters. We learned a lot from the England game.”

Nepal were drawn in Group C alongside two-time champions England, the West Indies, debutants Italy and late entrants Scotland.

Despite a spirited four-run defeat to England in their opener, Nepal’s campaign unravelled with a heavy 10-wicket loss to Italy and a nine-wicket defeat to the West Indies, ending their hopes of reaching the Super Eights.

The win against Scotland, though a dead rubber, restored pride and gave their fans something to cheer as Nepal concluded their third World Cup appearance.