Nepal vs Scotland Prediction: Who Will Win NEP vs SCO 33rd T20 Match on 17th February 2026?
The Nepal vs Scotland prediction for the 33rd T20 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 sets up an intriguing contest at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Tuesday, 17th February 2026. Scotland enter this clash under immense pressure as it is a must-win encounter to keep their Super 8 hopes alive. They suffered a five-wicket defeat against England in their previous outing and now require a convincing performance.
Historically, Scotland have dominated this matchup with a 12-2 record against Nepal in the last 14 meetings, although overall World Cup head-to-head stands evenly at 1-1. Nepal, on the other hand, are out of contention after three consecutive losses, including a heavy defeat against West Indies. The average first-innings score at Wankhede over the past year stands around 170, and chasing teams have won five out of eight matches, highlighting the importance of the toss.
Scotland boast a powerful batting lineup led by George Munsey and Richie Berrington, while Nepal depend heavily on Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee for stability. Cricketwebs provide best match prediction tips for every cricket match, and while Scotland are statistically stronger, Nepal will look to salvage pride with a competitive performance.
- Scotland’s Must-Win Scenario: Scotland need a big win to stay alive in the Super 8 race. Their batting strength and bowling balance give them an edge despite recent setbacks.
- Nepal’s Struggles: Nepal have lost three consecutive matches and are officially out of qualification contention. Their top order has failed to produce consistent starts.
- Wankhede Conditions: High-scoring venue with an average first innings of 170. Chasing sides have enjoyed success, making toss critical.
- Key Players: George Munsey and Michael Leask for Scotland; Rohit Paudel and Sandeep Lamichhane for Nepal will likely decide the outcome.
Match Details
| Match | NEP vs SCO, 33rd T20 |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, 17th February 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Wankhede Cricket Stadium, Mumbai |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
Team Previews
Nepal Preview
Nepal enter this fixture with their Super 8 hopes already extinguished, but there is still plenty at stake in terms of pride, rankings, and long-term development. The 2026 T20 World Cup campaign has exposed both the potential and limitations of Rohit Paudel’s side. Three consecutive defeats, including a heavy nine-wicket loss against West Indies, highlight the inconsistency that has plagued their batting unit throughout the tournament.
The biggest concern for Nepal has been their top-order fragility. Kushal Bhurtel, who has been Nepal’s most consistent T20 batter over the last 12 months with over 500 runs, has struggled to convert starts into impactful innings. Aasif Sheikh, opening alongside him, has also failed to provide stable powerplay platforms. This has forced captain Rohit Paudel to rebuild innings under pressure rather than dictate tempo.
Paudel remains the backbone of the lineup. His ability to rotate strike and build partnerships will be vital at Wankhede, a venue known for high-scoring games. Dipendra Singh Airee adds crucial balance as a batting all-rounder. He can accelerate in the middle overs and contribute useful overs if required. Aarif Sheikh offers composure in the middle order, while Lokesh Bam and Gulshan Jha provide finishing options. Sompal Kami’s lower-order hitting can be valuable in pushing totals beyond par.
Bowling remains Nepal’s strongest department. Sandeep Lamichhane is their primary wicket-taking threat. His variations in pace and flight could be effective, especially if he bowls into the pitch under lights. Karan KC and Sompal Kami must improve with the new ball after inconsistent outings. Nandan Yadav provides support in middle overs, and Dipendra Singh Airee can chip in with part-time overs.
For Nepal to challenge Scotland, they must correct their powerplay batting approach and avoid early collapses. If they post a total above 165 or chase smartly with structured partnerships, they can be competitive. Fielding discipline and death-bowling execution will also determine whether Nepal can end their campaign on a positive note.
Scotland Preview
Scotland head into this crucial encounter knowing that only a comprehensive victory will keep their Super 8 aspirations alive. Richie Berrington’s side has shown flashes of quality in the tournament but has lacked consistency at key moments. Their five-wicket loss to England exposed areas of concern, particularly in middle-over control and finishing.
The batting lineup remains Scotland’s biggest strength. George Munsey has been their most reliable performer over the past year, maintaining an average above 33. His aggressive approach in the powerplay often dictates Scotland’s tempo. Michael Jones partners him at the top and provides stability if Munsey plays aggressively.
Captain Richie Berrington is the glue of the middle order. His experience in pressure situations makes him a dependable anchor. Brandon McMullen and Tom Bruce bring attacking intent, capable of accelerating against both pace and spin. Michael Leask adds explosive lower-order finishing and valuable overs with his spin. Matthew Cross, behind the stumps, contributes finishing cameos and tactical awareness.
Scotland’s bowling attack is balanced and adaptable. Brad Currie and Brad Wheal provide early seam movement, particularly under lights. Mark Watt’s left-arm spin offers control during middle overs, while Oliver Davidson plays a supporting seam role. Leask’s spin has been effective recently, with an impressive strike rate over the past year.
The key for Scotland lies in capitalizing on Nepal’s fragile top order. Early breakthroughs can shift momentum decisively. On a batting-friendly Wankhede pitch, Scotland’s power hitters may thrive if they get solid starts. Their experience in ICC events gives them a composure edge in high-pressure scenarios.
If Scotland execute their plans with the ball early and maintain disciplined death bowling, they have the depth and firepower to dominate this contest and keep their qualification hopes alive.
Team Squads
Nepal Squad
Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sundeep Jora, Sher Malla, Basir Ahamad.
Scotland Squad
George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Michael Leask, Matthew Cross (wk), Mark Watt, Oliver Davidson, Brad Wheal, Brad Currie, Zainullah Ihsan, Jack Jarvis, Chris Greaves, Finlay McCreath.
Probable Playing XI
Nepal Probable XI
Kushal Bhurtel
Aasif Sheikh (wk)
Rohit Paudel (c)
Dipendra Singh Airee
Aarif Sheikh
Lokesh Bam
Gulshan Jha
Sompal Kami
Karan KC
Nandan Yadav
Sandeep Lamichhane
Scotland Probable XI
George Munsey
Michael Jones
Brandon McMullen
Richie Berrington (c)
Tom Bruce
Michael Leask
Matthew Cross (wk)
Mark Watt
Brad Wheal
Brad Currie
Oliver Davidson
Nepal vs Scotland Today’s Dream11/Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| WK | Matthew Cross | Scotland |
| Bat | George Munsey | Scotland |
| Bat | Rohit Paudel | Nepal |
| Bat | Brandon McMullen | Scotland |
| Bat | Dipendra Singh Airee | Nepal |
| AR | Michael Leask | Scotland |
| AR | Richie Berrington | Scotland |
| AR | Gulshan Jha | Nepal |
| Bowl | Sandeep Lamichhane | Nepal |
| Bowl | Brad Currie | Scotland |
| Bowl | Mark Watt | Scotland |
This fantasy combination leans slightly toward Scotland due to their stronger batting depth while retaining Nepal’s key impact players. George Munsey is a priority pick because of his powerplay aggression and consistent returns over the last 12 months. Rohit Paudel is Nepal’s most dependable batter and can anchor the innings in high-pressure situations. Brandon McMullen and Dipendra Singh Airee add middle-order stability and boundary-hitting potential.
Michael Leask is a crucial fantasy asset because he contributes with both bat and ball, increasing his point-scoring avenues. Richie Berrington offers leadership stability and finishing capability. Gulshan Jha is included as a value pick due to his dual role.
Sandeep Lamichhane is Nepal’s primary wicket-taking threat and can exploit middle overs. Brad Currie and Mark Watt are selected for their ability to extract early movement and control the run rate respectively at Wankhede.
Captain & Vice-Captain Choices
- Captain: Michael Leask / George Munsey
- Vice-Captain: Rohit Paudel / Brandon McMullen
Players to Avoid
- Kushal Bhurtel (inconsistent recent form)
- Oliver Davidson (limited fantasy impact)
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team in Today’s Match – Scotland
Scotland enter this contest as favorites due to superior batting depth, stronger recent head-to-head record, and better balance between pace and spin options. Their top order has shown consistent run-scoring ability, and their bowling unit is more disciplined in the powerplay. Nepal’s batting inconsistency and recent losing streak place them under pressure. On a high-scoring Wankhede surface, Scotland’s aggressive approach could be decisive.
Why Scotland?
- Stronger and deeper batting lineup
- Better recent consistency
- Effective powerplay bowling attack
- Experience in pressure ICC games
Nepal T20 History
| Matches Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | 66 | 46 | 3 | 0 |
Nepal have an impressive win percentage at Associate level but struggle for consistency against stronger Full Member nations.
Scotland T20 History
| Matches Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | 50 | 57 | 4 | 0 |
Scotland have been competitive in global tournaments and regularly challenge higher-ranked sides.
Head-to-Head Stats
| Total Matches | Nepal Won | Scotland Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
The T20 rivalry is evenly balanced overall, though Scotland have dominated recent non-World Cup meetings historically.
Pitch Report
The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is traditionally a batting-friendly venue. The pitch offers true bounce and good carry, allowing stroke-makers to play freely. The average first-innings score over the past year has been around 170, indicating high-scoring contests. Fast bowlers may get slight swing early under lights, but once the ball softens, batters tend to dominate. Dew often becomes a factor in evening matches, assisting chasing teams. Spinners need to vary pace and lengths carefully, as the short boundaries can be unforgiving.
Weather Report – Wankhede Stadium
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Condition | Hazy sunshine |
| Temperature (Evening) | Around 29°C at start, dropping to 24°C |
| Humidity | 60–70% |
| Rain Probability | Very Low (0–5%) |
| Wind | Light coastal breeze |
| Dew Factor | Likely in second innings |
The evening is expected to remain clear with warm and slightly humid conditions. Dew could develop later in the match, which may make gripping the ball difficult for spinners. Overall, uninterrupted play is expected.
Broadcast Details
The Nepal vs Scotland 33rd T20 match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network across India. Fans can stream the game digitally via JioHotstar, which offers multi-language commentary and match analytics. International viewers should check local ICC broadcast partners for live coverage of this T20 World Cup 2026 encounter.
Toss Prediction
Given the historical trend at Wankhede where chasing sides have won five of the last eight games, the captain winning the toss is expected to bowl first. Dew later in the evening further strengthens the chasing advantage. Scotland are predicted to win the toss and opt to field, aiming to restrict Nepal and chase under improved batting conditions.
Probable Batsman & Bowler
For Nepal, Rohit Paudel is the most probable top scorer. His ability to build partnerships and anchor innings will be critical on a batting-friendly pitch. Dipendra Singh Airee also has the capability to accelerate in the middle overs.
For Scotland, George Munsey remains the biggest batting threat. His aggressive powerplay approach can put Nepal’s bowlers under pressure early.
In the bowling department, Sandeep Lamichhane will be Nepal’s key wicket-taking option. His variations could trouble Scotland’s middle order. For Scotland, Brad Currie is the most likely strike bowler, especially with the new ball. Michael Leask could also chip in with crucial wickets during the middle overs.
Nepal vs Scotland Winning Chances
| Team | Winning % | Why They Can Win | Why They Might Lose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 78% | Spin strength, Asian conditions familiarity | Inconsistent top order |
| Scotland | 22% | Strong batting depth, must-win motivation | Pressure situation |
Nepal hold higher predicted chances due to favorable subcontinental conditions, but Scotland’s batting firepower keeps them competitive.
Match Prediction
Nepal may have struggled in the tournament, but conditions at Wankhede and their spin attack could favor them. Scotland’s must-win pressure might influence decision-making in crunch moments. If Nepal’s top order delivers even a moderate total, their bowlers can defend it effectively. Based on predicted percentages and surface conditions, Nepal are tipped to win this contest.
Winner: Nepal Will Win
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
FAQ – NEP vs SCO 33rd T20
When and where is the Nepal vs Scotland 33rd T20 match scheduled?
The match will be played on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, at the Wankhede Cricket Stadium in Mumbai. The scheduled start time is 7:00 PM IST. Wankhede is known for high-scoring T20 games, making this an exciting contest.
Why is this match important for Scotland?
Scotland need a convincing win to keep their Super 8 qualification hopes alive. A narrow victory may not be enough, depending on net run rate scenarios. Therefore, they are likely to play aggressively.
Is Nepal still in contention for the Super 8 stage?
No, Nepal have been eliminated from qualification contention after losing three consecutive matches. However, they will aim to end their campaign on a positive note.
What is the average first-innings score at Wankhede Stadium?
Over the past 12 months, the average first-innings score in T20 matches at Wankhede has been around 170 runs. It is traditionally considered a batting-friendly venue.
Who are the key players to watch in this match?
For Nepal, Rohit Paudel and Sandeep Lamichhane are crucial. For Scotland, George Munsey and Michael Leask are expected to play pivotal roles.
What is the head-to-head record between Nepal and Scotland in T20Is?
The teams have faced each other twice in T20Is, with both winning one match each. However, Scotland have a stronger overall record in recent encounters outside ICC tournaments.
Which team has the better T20 history overall?
Nepal have won 66 out of 115 T20 matches, while Scotland have won 50 out of 112 matches. Nepal have a slightly better win percentage historically.
What role will the toss play in this match?
The toss could be decisive. Chasing teams have won five of the last eight matches at Wankhede. Dew in the second innings often makes bowling difficult, encouraging teams to bowl first.
Who are the best fantasy captain options?
Michael Leask and George Munsey are strong captain choices, while Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee are solid vice-captain picks due to their all-round contributions.
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