Airee smashes unbeaten fifty to guide Nepal to historic victory
Nepal has finally ended a long 12-year wait for a victory on the global stage. In a thrillingNepal vs Scotland T20 World Cupencounter at the Wankhede Stadium, the Rhinos chased down a tricky target to defeat Scotland by seven wickets. This victory marks their first win in the tournament since their debut back in 2014, bringing immense joy to their passionate supporters.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, true to Nepal’s reputation as the "Cardiac Kids" of cricket. Scotland batted first and looked set for a massive total. Scottish opener Michael Jones was in fine form, scoring a solid 71 runs. At one stage, Scotland was cruising comfortably with the scoreboard reading 131 for 1. However, the game turned on its head thanks to veteran bowler Sompal Kami.
Kami, the only player remaining from Nepal's 2014 squad, delivered a stunning spell. He took three crucial wickets for just 25 runs, including a spectacular return catch to dismiss Brandon McMullen. His bowling sparked a collapse, restricting Scotland to 170 for 7 when a score of 200 looked possible.
Chasing 171, Nepal started strong but soon found themselves in trouble. Scottish spinner Michael Leask picked up three quick wickets, reducing Nepal to 98 for 3. The required run rate began to climb, and tension filled the stadium.
That is when Dipendra Singh Airee stepped up to the plate. Playing one of the best innings of his life, Airee smashed an unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls. He found great support from Gulsan Jha, who remained not out on 24. Together, they attacked the Scottish bowlers, hitting boundaries and sixes at will. Airee’s aggressive batting ensured Nepal crossed the finish line with ease, sealing a historic win and ending their World Cup campaign on a high note.
Image Source: ESPN / ICC
