Nepal clinches first T20 World Cup win in 12 years (photos)

KATHMANDU: Nepal ended a 12-year wait for a T20 World Cup victory as they beat Scotland by seven wickets in the final match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Chasing a target of 171 runs set by Scotland, Nepal reached the mark in 19.2 overs, losing just three wickets.

The win was powered by a brilliant innings from Dipendra Singh Airee, who remained unbeaten on 50 off 23 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes.

Gulshan Jha contributed a quick 24 not out from 17 deliveries, including a boundary and two sixes.

Airee became the first Nepalese player to score two consecutive fifties in T20 World Cup history, having earlier achieved a half-century against the West Indies.

This victory marked Nepal’s first World Cup win since defeating Afghanistan in 2014.

Despite losing all three of their earlier group matches, Nepal finished the tournament on a high with this morale-boosting triumph.

Nepal’s Chase: Solid Partnerships and Strategic Play

Nepal’s innings got off to a strong start with a 74-run opening partnership.

Opener Kushal Bhurtel scored 43 off 35 balls, including four sixes and one boundary, making it Nepal’s highest opening partnership in T20 World Cup history.

Aasif Sheikh added 33 runs off 27 balls, hitting two sixes.

After Bhurtel and Sheikh were dismissed, captain Rohit Kumar Paudel came in and scored 16 runs.

The early wickets were taken by Scotland’s spinner Michael Leask, who had an impressive spell of three wickets for just 10 runs in the first three overs.

However, Dipendra Singh Airey stabilized the innings with calculated aggression, particularly in the final overs, hitting key boundaries alongside Gulshan Jha to secure the win.

Nepal required five runs in the final over, which Jha managed to score in the second delivery with a boundary, sealing a memorable victory.

Scotland’s Innings: Strong Start but Collapse in the Death Overs

Electing to bat first at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Scotland posted 170/7 in 20 overs.

Michael Jones scored a quick half-century, while the opening pair added 80 runs for the first wicket.

Nepal captain Rohit Kumar Paudel broke the partnership by dismissing George Munsey for 27.

Despite a strong start in the powerplay, Scotland struggled in the final overs, losing six wickets for just 39 runs. Sompal Kami was Nepal’s leading bowler, claiming three crucial wickets for 25 runs, while Nandan Yadav took two wickets for 34 runs.

Key Highlights

• Dipendra Singh Airee: Two consecutive T20 World Cup fifties, 50* off 23 balls.

• Kushal Bhurtel: Highest opening partnership for Nepal in T20 World Cup, 43 off 35 balls.

• Sompal Kami: 3 wickets for 25 runs, pivotal in death overs.

• Nepal ends 12-year World Cup win drought.

This historic win, though coming after Nepal’s exit from the group stage, provides a strong foundation and a morale boost for the team as they look ahead to future ICC events

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