Nepal chase down 170 to down Scotland as both teams exit T20 World Cup
Nepal completed a dramatic chase at the Wankhede Stadium, reaching 171-3 in 19. 2 overs to record a morale-boosting victory over Scotland after being set 171. Dipendra Singh Airee’s blistering unbeaten 50 off 23 balls and disciplined death bowling from Sompal Kami swung the contest, but the result did not alter the Group C pecking order: England and West Indies move on, while Nepal and Scotland bow out.
Airee’s late assault and the turning points
Scotland looked on course for a competitive total after opener Michael Jones carved out a fluent 71 from 45 deliveries, finding gaps through the off-side and striking through the line with authority. A steady start — 132 for 1 — promised an above-par platform, but a stunning collapse saw the innings unravel to 170-7. The momentum shifted when two set batters fell in the same over, and Scotland lost four more in quick succession to finish below the total their top order had suggested.
Nepal’s bowlers executed clever variations at the death, with Sompal Kami the pick of the attack, finishing with figures of 3-25. Those late overs of tight pace-off deliveries proved decisive in choking Scotland’s expansion and setting up a chase that would be achievable under lights on a good batting surface.
In reply, Dipendra Singh Airee rewrote the script. His 50 not out off 23 balls changed the tempo instantly, combining power with precision and striking when it mattered most. Alongside solid contributions from Gulshan Jha and others, Nepal moved through the target with four balls to spare. The composed finish ended Nepal’s long wait for a victory on this stage and gave their travelling fans a memorable finale.
scotland national cricket team vs nepal national cricket team standings
The result leaves both Scotland and Nepal with a single victory in Group C and insufficient points to progress to the Super 8s. England and West Indies topped the group and claimed the available qualification spots. For Scotland, a late call-up to the tournament after another side withdrew brought opportunity but limited match practice may have been a factor in tight margins across their fixtures. They finish with one win from four matches; struggles in the middle and death overs ultimately cost consistency.
Nepal leave the tournament with valuable lessons and renewed belief. The side showed it can handle pressure on the global stage, with the win serving as a confidence injection for players and supporters alike. Captain Rohit Paudel described the victory as important for the team and fans, highlighting how the performance against England earlier in the competition had helped them manage pressure moments later in the tournament.
Both teams will reflect on positives: Scotland will take encouragement from the performances of players like Michael Jones and the glimpses of top-order fluency, while Nepal will celebrate the match-winning temperament shown by Airee and the utility of their bowling plans in tight phases.
What comes next
Elimination ends the immediate T20 World Cup campaigns for both sides, but the experience gained in high-pressure fixtures promises to be valuable. Nepal walk away with renewed conviction that they can challenge at this level, having delivered a memorable win in front of a partisan crowd. Scotland have shown they can compete but will be left rueing a few missed opportunities across the group stage that might have produced a different outcome with more rhythm and match practice.
Individual performances will be dissected and built upon as both nations turn their attention to future series and qualifying pathways. For now, Nepal’s last-game flourish will be remembered as a high-octane finish to a tournament that tested depth, adaptability and composure under lights.
