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The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is reaching its climax, and the 33rd match of the tournament presents a fascinating encounter between two Associate nations desperate to sign off on a high. On Tuesday, 17th February 2026, Nepal will take on Scotland at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. While the path to the Super 8s is mathematically closed for both teams, this Nepal vs Scotland 33rd T20 match is far from a dead rubber. It is a battle for pride, valuable world ranking points, and the chance to leave a mark on the tournament.
As we analyze this NEP vs SCO match prediction, we find two teams heading in opposite directions in terms of form but united by their fighting spirit. Nepal’s campaign has been one to forget, with three consecutive losses leaving them rooted to the bottom of Group B. The batting has been overly reliant on the heroics of Dipendra Singh Airee, who has been the lone warrior with 119 runs. The bowling, once their strength, has lacked the firepower to defend low totals.
Scotland, on the other hand, have had a mixed bag. Currently third in Group C with one win and two losses, they have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly with the ball. Michael Leask has been a revelation, picking up 6 wickets. However, their batting lineup crumbled under pressure against a quality England attack in their last outing.
At the high-scoring Wankhede Stadium, known for its flat deck and short boundaries, this promises to be an entertaining, high-octane contest. Both teams will be eager to give their fans something to cheer about, making this a wide-open and unpredictable fixture.
Match Details
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | NEP vs SCO, 33rd T20 Match, Group Stage |
| Date | Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM Local Time (Night Match) |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
Team Preview
Nepal Team Preview
It has been a disappointing World Cup campaign for the Nepalese team, who arrived with high hopes of causing a few upsets. Placed at the bottom of Group B with three losses, the harsh realities of top-tier cricket have been evident. Their biggest Achilles’ heel has been the top order. In match after match, the likes of Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, and captain Rohit Paudel have failed to provide a solid start, leaving the middle order with too much to do.
The previous match against the West Indies was a prime example, where they slumped to 133/8, a total that was never going to be enough against a power-hitting lineup. The lone bright spot has been the phenomenal Dipendra Singh Airee. He has been the team’s top run-scorer by a distance, and his gritty 58 off 47 balls in the last game showcased his class and temperament. He has single-handedly dragged Nepal to respectable totals on multiple occasions.
With the ball, the team has missed the x-factor of a rested Sandeep Lamichhane. Nandan Yadav has led the attack admirably with 3 wickets, but the rest of the bowling unit has been expensive and unable to build sustained pressure. The lack of a genuine wicket-taker in the middle overs has allowed opposition batsmen to rebuild comfortably.
Despite these struggles, Nepal will take heart from playing at the Wankhede. The pitch is a batter’s paradise, which might just free up their batsmen to play their natural, aggressive game. They have nothing to lose, and if the top order finally fires alongside Airee, they have the potential to post a massive total. This match is about restoring national pride and proving that they belong on this stage. A win here would be a massive boost for Nepali cricket.
Scotland Team Preview
Scotland’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2026 has been a story of “what could have been.” Currently sitting third in Group C with one win and two losses, they have shown they can compete but have fallen short in crucial moments. Their campaign started positively but hit a roadblock in their previous match against a strong England side, where they were bowled out for 152 and subsequently lost by 5 wickets. The primary concern for the Scots has been the inconsistency of their top order.
The explosive George Munsey, their leading run-scorer, has failed to convert his starts into the big scores required to post match-winning totals. In the last game, both he and Brandon McMullen departed cheaply, putting immense pressure on captain Richie Berrington. Berrington responded with a valiant 49 off 32 balls, but he lacked support from the other end.
Scotland’s strength, however, lies in their bowling attack, which has been their primary weapon. Michael Leask has been in the form of his life, claiming 6 wickets and troubling batsmen with his off-spin. He is well-supported by the pace of Safyaan Sharif and the left-arm orthodox spin of Mark Watt. This trio will be crucial on the Wankhede track. They will need to use variations and slower balls effectively to counter the short boundaries.
This match presents Scotland with a chance to end their campaign on a high note and potentially jump to the second spot in the group with a big win. They will be wary, however, of taking Nepal lightly. With nothing to lose, Nepal are a dangerous side, and if Scotland’s top order misfires again, they could be in for a tough chase under the lights in Mumbai.
Team Squad
Nepal Squad:
Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla, Lokesh Bam.
Scotland Squad:
Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wk), Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal.
Probable Playing XI
Nepal Probable Playing XI:
Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Lalit Rajbanshi.
Scotland Probable Playing XI:
George Munsey, Brandon McMullen, Michael Jones, Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wk), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Wheal.
Fantasy Team XI
| Role | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Wicket-Keeper | Aasif Sheikh | Nepal |
| Wicket-Keeper | Matthew Cross | Scotland |
| Batter | George Munsey | Scotland |
| Batter | Richie Berrington | Scotland |
| Batter | Rohit Paudel | Nepal |
| All-Rounder | Dipendra Singh Airee | Nepal |
| All-Rounder | Michael Leask | Scotland |
| All-Rounder | Brandon McMullen | Scotland |
| Bowler | Mark Watt | Scotland |
| Bowler | Sompal Kami | Nepal |
| Bowler | Karan KC | Nepal |
Building a winning fantasy XI for this NEP vs SCO clash requires a balanced approach, recognizing Scotland’s superior bowling depth while banking on Nepal’s lone batting superstar. We begin with the wicket-keepers. Aasif Sheikh is a vital cog at the top of Nepal’s order and will need to provide a strong start. Matthew Cross is a safe pair of hands and a reliable middle-order batter for Scotland who can accelerate when needed.
The batting unit is headlined by Scotland’s explosive opener George Munsey, the team’s leading run-scorer who is due for a big one. Captain Richie Berrington is in good touch after a fighting 49 in the last game and is a must-have. From Nepal, skipper Rohit Paudel is a quality batter who will be desperate to lead from the front and make amends for his recent failures.
The all-rounder department is the strongest suit of this XI. Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee is an automatic pick as the team’s highest run-scorer and a handy bowler. Scotland’s Michael Leask is the tournament’s joint-highest wicket-taker for his side with 6 scalps and can smash a few sixes down the order. Brandon McMullen offers a dual threat with his pace bowling and aggressive batting at the top, making him a high-upside pick.
The bowling attack focuses on wicket-takers. Mark Watt is Scotland’s premium spinner, economical and effective in the middle overs. Nepal’s pace duo of Sompal Kami and Karan KC are their best bets for wickets with the new ball and at the death, especially on the pace-friendly Wankhede track.
Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:
- Captain: Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal’s only in-form batter; reliable for a big score and bowling points).
- Vice-Captain: Michael Leask (Leading wicket-taker for Scotland, capable of a game-changing spell and quick-fire runs).
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Team:
- Sundeep Jora (NEP): Has struggled for form and game time in the tournament. With Nepal’s top order likely to bat deep, his chances of contributing significant points are low.
- Bradley Wheal (SCO): While a quality bowler, on the flat Wankhede track against a determined Nepal lineup, he could prove to be expensive. With safer bowling options like Watt and Leask available, Wheal is a risk.
Pitch Report
The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is a batsman’s paradise, known for its true bounce and lightning-fast outfield. Boundaries are short, making it a high-scoring venue where totals of 200+ are common. Pacers get some swing with the new ball under lights, but spinners often struggle for grip. Batting first is preferred, as chasing under lights can be tricky due to dew.
Weather Report
Mumbai will experience clear and pleasant evening weather. There is no forecast of rain, ensuring a full 20-over contest. Temperatures will be around 28°C with high humidity.
Toss Prediction
At the Wankhede, captains prefer to bat first to utilize the best batting conditions and put a big score on the board. With dew potentially playing a factor in the second innings, we predict Scotland will win the toss and bat first.
Probable Best Batter & Bowler
Probable Best Batter: Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal)
Dipendra Singh Airee has been the lone warrior for Nepal with the bat, scoring 119 runs in difficult situations. On a batting-friendly wicket like Wankhede, he will have the perfect platform to showcase his full range of shots. Expect him to anchor the innings and play the role of the aggressor, making him the most probable top scorer in this match.
Probable Best Bowler: Michael Leask (Scotland)
Michael Leask has been Scotland’s trump card with the ball, claiming 6 wickets in the tournament. His off-spin could be effective on the Wankhede track if he uses variations wisely. Given Nepal’s struggles against quality spin and their reliance on right-handers, Leask is primed to pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs and stifle the scoring rate.
Match Prediction
This is a tight contest between two motivated Associate sides. Scotland has the edge in bowling and recent form, having competed strongly against top teams. However, Nepal has the batting firepower to surprise anyone on this ground. If Dipendra Singh Airee fires and gets support, Nepal can post a winning total. This could be the day Nepal finally clicks as a unit.
Our Winner: Nepal Will Win
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