Nepal launched a stunning late assault at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, with Dipendra Singh Airee’s powerful hitting bringing them within five runs of victory in their final group match.
Chasing 170 against Scotland, Nepal found momentum slipping before Airee counterattacked decisively, transforming a tense chase into a thrilling contest in front of nearly 28,000 spectators.
At one stage Nepal required 39 runs from 24 deliveries, but Airee shifted pressure back onto Scotland with calculated aggression against Michael Leask and Brad Wheal.
His charge included two commanding sixes off Leask in a 20-run over that reduced the equation to 39 from 24 balls.
Scotland Recover After Mid-Innings Collapse
Earlier, Scotland posted 170 despite losing six wickets for 38 runs, a collapse triggered by disciplined bowling and clever variations from Nepal’s attack.
Michael Jones led Scotland’s innings with a 31-ball fifty, sharing an assured opening partnership before Sompal Kami dismissed him with a well-disguised slower delivery.
Kami removed Brandon McMullen in the same over and later bowled Tom Bruce with another slower ball, celebrating calmly after unsettling Scotland’s middle order.
Leask contributed with the bat but later played a decisive role with the ball, claiming three wickets in three overs as Nepal attempted repeated sweep shots.
Nepal’s Chase Gains Early Momentum
Nepal’s reply began confidently, reaching 56 in the powerplay compared to Scotland’s 52, as Kushal Bhurtel attacked Mark Watt for 23 runs in a single over.
Bhurtel struck two leg-side sixes and a sweep for four before falling to Leask, with Tom Bruce taking a running catch to break the opening stand.
At 100 for three after 14 overs, Nepal required 71 from 36 deliveries, with Leask tightening control and reducing scoring opportunities through disciplined bowling.
Final Overs Deliver High Drama
As pressure mounted, Airee continued finding boundaries, striking through covers and backward point to keep Nepal within reach entering the closing overs.
Gulshan Jha, after briefly leaving the field following a boundary collision, returned to hit an inside-out cover drive off Brad Currie that left Nepal five runs short.
Despite Scotland’s earlier dominance and Leask’s three wickets, Airee’s fearless counterattack ensured Nepal remained competitive until the final over of a dramatic encounter.
