Nepal upset Scotland in Mumbai as Airee's blitz hands tourist side a morale-boosting win
Nepal produced a late surge to beat Scotland in a high-drama T20 World Cup fixture in Mumbai, chasing down 171 after the hosts staged a mid-innings collapse. Dipendra Singh Airee's explosive 50 off 23 balls changed the course of the chase and earned him the player-of-the-match award, while Scotland ponder missed opportunities after slipping from 132-1 to 170-7.
Match flashpoint: Airee seizes the momentum
Scotland had appeared to be cruising when opener Scottish Jones (71 off 45) and company put on a commanding platform. A flurry of wickets in the middle overs, however, left Scotland reeling and defending a total of 170 for 7. Nepal’s reply looked nervy at stages, but Airee’s late assault—supported by finishing contributions from Gulshan Jha—tilted the contest and completed a tense chase.
Nepal captain Rohit Paudel reflected on the significance of the win for a touring side that has battled for consistency. He described the victory as important for both the team and its supporters, noting how the crowd engagement grew after their earlier upset over a top-ranked opponent. Paudel highlighted the composure learned from earlier pressure moments and praised Airee and Jha for their execution in closing overs.
Scotland captain Richie Berrington conceded the mood was one of disappointment. He paid tribute to Airee’s late impact and acknowledged the crowd’s influence on the match atmosphere. Berrington also pointed to the bowling performances late in Scotland’s innings as a sign of what the side can produce, while lamenting a lack of matches in lead-up preparations that may have cost sharper momentum in key moments.
Scotland national cricket team vs Nepal national cricket team standings
On the table, the win gives Nepal a morale-boosting finish to their group campaign, while Scotland leave with frustration that a few missed chances proved costly. The result marks a clear head-to-head advantage for Nepal in this fixture and will be recorded in the tournament standings as a crucial group-stage victory for the visitors.
Neither captain framed this result as the end of a project. Nepal’s skipper underlined that while the team showed flashes of the form that produced an earlier signature win, the broader aim of progressing deeper in the tournament remained unfulfilled. Scotland’s leader echoed similar sentiments—pride in competitive showings mixed with regret over opportunities not converted into wins. Both teams now turn attention to longer-term development, using lessons from this tournament to shape selections and preparations ahead of forthcoming international windows.
What this means next
Beyond the immediate scoreboard, the match offered plenty for both sides to unpack. Nepal leave with renewed belief in their middle-order temperament and finishing ability, while Scotland will examine how late-innings batting collapses can be avoided and how momentum can be sustained across a tournament. For fans and team management alike, the result will inform planning, selection and strategy in the months ahead as both nations seek to climb global T20 rankings and strengthen their limited-overs credentials.
In the short term, Nepal celebrate a memorable victory that showcased fearless hitting under pressure. For Scotland, the performance contained encouraging individual displays but ultimately highlighted the fine margins that separate narrow defeats from progression at this level. The standings now reflect one more upset in a tournament where momentum swings have often decided which teams advance and which regroup for the next cycle.
