The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was awash in red and roaring with anticipation as Nepal’s national cricket team took the field on February 17, 2026, for their final Group C match of the T20 World Cup. For the thousands of Nepalese fans who had traveled to witness their team’s journey, this was more than a game—it was a chance at redemption, a moment to rewrite history after a campaign beset by heartbreak and near-misses. And what a moment it turned out to be!
Just ten days earlier, Nepal’s World Cup journey had begun with a gut-wrenching four-run loss to England, a result that nearly delivered a seismic upset in world cricket. That narrow defeat lingered, and subsequent heavy losses to Italy and the West Indies left Nepal’s hopes for advancement dashed. Yet, as the sun set over Mumbai, Rohit Paudel’s men found themselves with one last opportunity to give their supporters something to cheer about—and boy, did they seize it.
Scotland, already out of Super Eights contention alongside Nepal, won the toss and posted a competitive 170/7 in their 20 overs. Michael Jones was the standout for the Scots, blazing his way to a 71 off 45 balls, peppering the boundary with eight fours and three sixes. He anchored an 80-run opening partnership with George Munsey, who contributed a patient 27 off 29 balls. Brandon McMullen chipped in with 25 runs, but the Scottish innings lost momentum once Munsey fell to a mistimed shot off Rohit Paudel’s bowling in the tenth over. From there, Nepal’s bowlers, led by Sompal Kami, tightened the screws.
Kami was the pick of the Nepalese attack, finishing with figures of 3 for 25. He bowled with guile and heart, even pulling off a spectacular one-handed catch off his own bowling to dismiss McMullen. Nandan Yadav also chipped in with two wickets, and a disciplined death-overs display ensured Scotland couldn’t break free in the closing stages. The Scots, though, managed a last-ball six from Mark Watt to reach 170—a total that looked imposing, but not insurmountable.
Chasing 171 for victory, Nepal’s openers took a measured approach at first. Only 26 runs came off the first four overs, but the strategy was clear: keep wickets in hand, then accelerate. The breakthrough came when Aasif Sheikh, who would go on to score a handy 33, broke the shackles with a six over fine leg. The fifth over, bowled by Mark Watt, was a turning point—Kushal Bhurtel unleashed a flurry of boundaries, including two sixes and a four, as Nepal racked up 23 runs in the over. By the end of the PowerPlay, Nepal had reached 56/0, their highest ever PowerPlay score in T20 World Cup history.
Bhurtel, riding his luck after being dropped by Brad Currie in the second over, made the most of his reprieve. He smashed 43 off 35 balls, peppering the stands with four sixes and a four. Yet, just as Nepal seemed to be cruising, off-spinner Michael Leask turned the contest on its head. Leask’s spell saw him claim three wickets for 30 runs, dismissing Bhurtel, Sheikh, and captain Rohit Paudel in quick succession. Suddenly, Nepal found themselves teetering at 98/3 in the 14th over, the required run rate climbing, nerves fraying on both sides.
Enter Dipendra Singh Airee. Calm, composed, and brimming with intent, Airee strode to the crease with the match hanging in the balance. What followed was one of the most memorable innings in Nepal’s cricketing annals. Airee wasted no time, rotating the strike with singles and doubles, and pouncing on anything short. The 16th over, bowled by Leask, was decisive—Airee hammered two consecutive sixes and a four, collecting 23 runs and swinging the momentum irrevocably in Nepal’s favor.
Airee’s partner in the rescue act was Gulshan Jha, who contributed a vital unbeaten 24, including two towering sixes and a four. Together, they stitched an unbeaten 73-run stand off just 36 balls. The equation kept narrowing: 65 needed off 31 balls, then 15 off the last two overs. Airee, unfazed, brought up his fifty—the fastest by a Nepalese player in T20 World Cup history—in just 23 balls, a whirlwind knock featuring three sixes and four fours.
As the winning runs were struck—Jha finding the boundary at wide long-on—the stadium erupted. Nepal had chased down 171 with seven wickets in hand and four balls to spare. For the first time in 12 years, Nepal tasted victory on the T20 World Cup stage, signing off from the tournament in style. The team’s third win ever at a T20 World Cup, this triumph was especially sweet considering the adversity and pressure they’d faced throughout the campaign.
The post-match scenes were a sight to behold. Airee, deservedly named Man of the Match, was effusive in his gratitude: "I want to thank the fans for coming to Mumbai and giving us immense support and motivation. This win is very important for us, especially as it comes after 12 years. Perhaps it was one of my best innings, scoring 50 off just 23 balls. Such a chase gives us tremendous confidence." According to captain Rohit Paudel, "This win means a lot, especially as it is my second World Cup as captain. Winning the first game is always special, and it is very important for our fans. The last five overs were crucial; we focused on slowing the opposition down and kept our communication simple, restricting them to singles and preventing boundaries. Dipi dai batted exceptionally well and truly deserved the Man of the Match award."
Even Scotland’s skipper Richie Berrington gave credit where it was due, stating, "A lot of credit goes to him, as he played a brilliant innings and completely changed the tempo of the game. The huge crowd behind the team added to the energy. I am very pleased with the performance on such a big stage. It was a great opportunity to showcase our talent on the world stage, and we are thrilled to deliver a strong performance."
For the sea of Nepalese supporters, this was more than a consolation win—it was a testament to their team’s spirit and the promise of brighter days ahead. The echoes of their cheers will linger long after the lights go out at Wankhede, a reminder that sometimes, a single victory can mean the world to a nation.