scotland vs nepal: Airee's blitz seals Nepal chase at Wankhede
Nepal completed a dramatic chase of 170 to beat Scotland at the Wankhede Stadium, claiming their first victory on this World Cup stage since 2014. Dipendra Singh Airee’s explosive unbeaten 50 off 23 balls finished a match that swung from Scotland’s early dominance to a late Nepal celebration.
Airee’s rapid cameo decides a tight contest
Sent in to chase a challenging total on a good batting surface, Nepal had work to do after Scotland posted 170 for 7 in their 20 overs. Dipendra Singh Airee turned the contest with a blistering cameo, striking an unbeaten 50 from just 23 deliveries to guide his side to 171 for 3 with four balls to spare. Airee’s assault provided the finishing punch Nepal needed; his strike-rate and calm in the closing overs removed any chance of a Scotland comeback.
The target was well within reach once Nepal’s top order settled. The chase was efficient and purposeful, with partners rotating the strike and capitalising on loose deliveries. Airee’s innings blended power and placement, punishing any short or wide balls and accelerating the run rate at the ideal moment.
Scotland collapse after strong start
Scotland looked set for a competitive total thanks to Michael Jones, who produced a fluent 71 from 45 balls and found gaps consistently on the off-side while also driving with authority. At 132 for 1 the visitors seemed on course for an above-par score, but a sudden collapse changed the complexion of the match.
Sompal Kami turned the game with a crucial over, removing Jones and Brandon McMullen in quick succession. McMullen contributed 25, while George Munsey, usually a reliable aggressor at the top, struggled for timing and managed 27 off 29. After the double blow, wickets fell rapidly: Richie Berrington fell for 10 and Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross and Leask were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Scotland at 162 for 7 at one point and ultimately finishing on 170 for 7.
Kami finished with figures of 3 for 25, his variations and pace-off deliveries especially effective in the death overs and instrumental in choking Scotland’s scoring momentum. Scotland’s late-order fight gave them some runs, but the middle-order collapse deprived them of the platform they had looked to build.
Implications and takeaways
Neither side was in contention for a Super 8 berth heading into this match, but the result carries significance beyond the group table. For Nepal, the victory exorcises some tournament demons after a narrow last-ball loss to England in their opener and marks their first World Cup win on this stage since 2014. The performance will boost confidence and underline the strides Nepalese cricket has made in high-pressure settings.
For Scotland, the match illustrates the fine margins in T20 cricket. A commanding start was undermined by a shaky middle order and smart death bowling from the opposition. Scotland finish their group campaign with one win from four matches; late call-ups to the tournament had already made preparations difficult, and this result compounds a campaign that started with promise but faded at crucial moments.
On a night defined by a middle-order wobble and an explosive finishing act, Nepal leave Mumbai with a morale-boosting win and Scotland are left to reflect on missed opportunities. Both teams now look ahead to rebuilding and refining their plans for the next international windows, drawing lessons from a match that showcased how quickly T20 momentum can swing.
