In a night that will be etched in the annals of Himalayan sporting history, Nepal secured its first T20 World Cup victory in 12 years, defeating Scotland by 7 wickets at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
The victory, coming on February 17, 2026, marks the end of a long and often heartbreaking wait for the “Rhinos.” Nepal’s last taste of World Cup success came way back in March 2014 during their debut tournament in Bangladesh, where they famously upset Afghanistan and Hong Kong. After going winless in the 2024 edition and facing narrow defeats earlier this month, the 2026 squad has finally broken the “Wankhede Curse” in their final group stage match.
The Match at a Glance
The Chase: Chasing a challenging target of 171, Nepal’s chase was masterfully anchored by Kushal Bhurtel (43) before the “Tiger” of Nepali cricket, Dipendra Singh Airee, took over. Airee played a blistering unbeaten knock of 50, reaching his half-century and the winning runs simultaneously with a boundary in the final over.
The Turnaround: Earlier in the day, Scotland looked set for a massive total at in the 15th over. However, veteran pacer Sompal Kami—the only player in the squad who also played in that 2014 victory—turned the tide. Kami’s 3-wicket haul () dismantled Scotland’s middle order, restricting them to just 39 runs in the final five overs.
A Decade of Patience
For the thousands of Nepali fans who turned the Wankhede Stadium into a “Mini-Kathmandu,” the 12-year wait made the celebration even sweeter. Since 2014, Nepal had played 6 consecutive World Cup matches without a win. Tonight, that streak is officially over.
While Nepal will not progress to the Super Eight stage this year, this victory serves as a powerful statement of their growth as a cricketing nation and a fitting “consolation prize” for their passionate supporters.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment since 2014. To do it here in Mumbai, in front of our fans, is a dream come true.” — Rohit Paudel, Nepal Captain.