ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match 33: Nepal vs Scotland | Preview and Predictions

Two different scenarios for two teams who are looking to showcase that the associate nations can play with the big boys as well with Scotland Nepal coming into this Group C encounter at the T20 World Cup 2026 with very different goals. Scotland still have a chance to make the Super Eights and a lot will depend on their game against Nepal, which has become a must-win for them after their loss to England. Nepal meanwhile are looking to pick up their first win of the tournament after suffering three back to back losses and make sure that they leave the World Cup 2026 with at least a win.

Here, we present our preview and predictions for the 33rd game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between Nepal and Scotland

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match 33: NEP vs SCO | 19:00, February 17, 2026

Scotland sits with one win from three games but it could have been very different had their batters applied themselves a little bit more. In both their games against West Indies and England, Scotland were looking like they might pull off a big upset but they fell short at the final hurdle, with experience at the top level proving to be a deciding factor. The Scottish batting unit has had an average event with their batters getting starts in all the games but barring that Italy match, they have failed to make it count. Against England, their captain Richie Berrington looked like he was taking his team to a healthy target of 180+ but his dismissal at the wrong time meant that it triggered a middle and lower order collapse which turned out to be the deciding factor. The Scottish batters will hope to put up a better show against Nepal in a must-win game for them. 

The bowling has been one of their strong points this World Cup along with their fielding with Brand McMullen and Brad Currie being economical at the top and providing the early breakthroughs. On slow tracks across the World Cup, Scotland’s spinners, Mark Watt, Oliver Davidson and Michael Leask have been terrific and Berrington will hope his bowlers continue to impress. 

Nepal meanwhile were inches away from causing a major upset in their first game against England before imploding against Italy and West Indies in two very disappointing batting performances. The batting’s been scrappy for Nepal, the batters got decent starts against England but weren’t able to pull through and against the spinners of Italy, Nepal collapsed in a heap. Most of their top order has gotten starts and some runs under their belt and Rohit Paudel will hope for a better batting performance against Scotland. Nepal went wicketless against Italy and picked up only one against West Indies and its been their slower bowlers who have provided the breakthroughs so far in the event. In Mumbai, Paudel will look at the likes of Lamichhane to step up.

The Wankhede ground has always been one that has brought about plenty of runs along with some assistance for the seamers but this World Cup, there has been turn on offer meaning the spin attack of both teams will come into play and be crucial for their team’s chances. Scotland haven’t had the results to show for despite strong performances and we have them as our favourites after impressing against the bigger teams. 

Fantasy XI: Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, George Munsey, Brandon McMullen, Matthew Cross (wk), Rohit Paudel, Richie Berrington ©, Dipendra Singh Airee, Michael Leask (wk), Sandeep Lamichhane, Mark Watt

Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Winners Prediction: Scotland