How Did Nepal Restrict Scotland to 170/7 After Jones's Fifty?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, Feb 17 (NationPress) Michael Jones delivered an impressive performance, scoring 71 runs to give Scotland a solid beginning. However, Nepal staged a remarkable comeback with a three-wicket haul by Sompal Kami, limiting Scotland to 170/7 in their 20 overs during Match 33 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Jones struck eight fours and two sixes in his 45-ball innings, forming crucial partnerships of 80 runs for the opening wicket with George Munsey and 52 runs for the second wicket with Brandon McMullen. Scotland seemed on track for a score exceeding 180, but their bowlers couldn't capitalize on the decision to bowl first.
Sompal Kami led the fightback with a double strike in the 16th over, as Nepal, having previously impressed with a magical performance against England in their opening match, bounced back in the final overs to set themselves up for their first win in the tournament.
Michael Jones provided Scotland with an excellent start as he and Munsey combined for an 80-run partnership. After a couple of quiet overs, Jones burst into action with a four and a six off Dipendra Singh Airee in the third over. He consistently found the boundary with a series of shots, helping Scotland reach 52 without loss during the Power-play.
As Nepal struggled to make an impact, skipper Rohit Paudel took matters into his own hands and achieved the breakthrough, dismissing Munsey with a reverse sweep caught by Sundeep Jora.
Jones reached his fifty in just 31 balls (6x4, 2x6), while he and McMullen added 52 runs for the second wicket, with Jones hitting boundaries off Lamichhane and Bhurtel.
Just as it appeared Scotland was cruising toward a substantial total, Nepal clawed back, with Sompal Kami taking two wickets in three balls, bowling Jones (71) and executing a stunning one-handed catch off his own bowling to dismiss McMullen (25, 19 b, 1x4, 1x1).
Nepal maintained their momentum, causing Scotland to lose their skipper Richie Barrington (10), Tom Bruce (5), and Matthew Cross (4) in rapid succession, tumbling to 156/6 in the 19th over. Mark Watt contributed 10 runs off four balls, hitting a six off the final ball to help his team achieve a defendable total.
Sompal Kami was the standout bowler for Nepal with figures of 3-25, while Nandan Yadav took 2-34 during the latter part of the innings.
Brief scores:
Scotland 170/7 in 20 overs (Michael Jones 71, George Munsey 27; Sompal Kami 3-25, Nandan Yadav 2-34) against Nepal.