Nepal stun Scotland with historic run chase

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 4: Nepal aims to carry its winning momentum into the clash against the Netherlands after pulling off its highest-ever successful ODI run chase in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. Nepal will face the Netherlands on June 4.

Nepal and the Netherlands have squared off five times, with the Rhinos winning two and losing three. The Dutch side is in second position in the League 2 standings with 26 points.

The thrilling one-wicket victory over Scotland has breathed new life into Nepal’s League 2 campaign. Its third win in the tournament helped Nepal climb from the bottom to seventh place. The Rhinos earned eight points from 13 matches.

Scotland sits in fourth place with 20 points from 17 matches in the eight-team competition.

Chasing a stiff target of 297 posted by Scotland at Forfarshire Cricket Club in Dundee, Nepal sealed the win in dramatic fashion on the final delivery, marking a triumphant return to League 2 action after nearly seven months.

With No. 11 Rijan Dhakal on strike, Nepal needed a single off the last ball against spinner Mark Watt.

Watt fired a delivery down the leg side, and the umpire’s wide signal triggered an instant pitch invasion as jubilant Nepal fans stormed the ground to celebrate with their heroes, led by the unstoppable Karan KC.

Walking in at No. 9 with Nepal struggling at 192/7 in the 39th over, Karan KC played an absolute blinder to give Nepal its fourth victory over Scotland.

He smashed an unbeaten 65 off just 41 balls, including four towering sixes. The unbeaten 65 is also the highest run scored by a number-nine batter in Nepali cricket. The unbeaten 57 from Gulshan Jha was the previous best at number nine, scored against Ireland in 2023.

His 60-run partnership with Gulshan Jha and a nerve-wracking 38-run stand with Sandeep Lamichhane for the ninth wicket took Nepal to the brink of victory.

Even after Lamichhane (6-ball 5) fell on the first ball of the final over, Karan kept his nerve, collecting two twos before the wide sealed the historic win.

Gulshan Kumar Jha chipped in with a crucial 42 off 30 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes.

Nepal’s successful chase of 297 is its highest-ever run pursuit in ODI history. Its previous highest run chase was 286 against Canada in 2024.

Nepal’s chase started strong with a 72-run opening stand between Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh.

Bhurtel gave the team an aggressive start, scoring 53 off 44 balls with 11 fours. Aasif added 20 off 33 balls, hitting two boundaries.

After a minor hiccup at 78/2, skipper Rohit Paudel and Bhim Sarki steadied the innings with a vital 74-run stand for the third wicket. Their partnership set the stage for the lower-order fireworks.

Bhim contributed 40 off 48 balls with three fours, while captain Rohit chipped in with 37 off 56 balls.

For Scotland, Brandon McMullen bagged three wickets, while Michael Leask and Jack Jarvis snared two each. Jasper Davidson picked up one.

Earlier, Nepal won the toss and put Scotland in to bat. The home team posted 296/7 in 50 overs.

Charlie Tear top-scored for Scotland with 80 off 72 balls, hitting 12 fours and one six. Karan had him caught behind by Aasif Sheikh when Tear was on 80.

Finley Macreath scored 55 off 67 balls, hammering three fours and one six. He was dismissed by Sompal Kami in the final over.

Captain Richie Berrington added 40 off 46 balls with three fours and two sixes before getting caught behind off Karan’s bowling. Matthew Cross chipped in with 39 off 56 balls, hitting three boundaries before falling to Sandeep Lamichhane. Michael Leask made 18 off 15 balls before Bhim Sarki caught him off Rijan’s bowling.

Brandon McMullen contributed 19 off 31 balls with two fours. He was caught by Basir Ahmed off Sompal’s bowling.

Rijan Dhakal removed Scotland opener George Munsey, who had scored 12 runs, as he was caught by Sompal while attempting a big hit.

For Nepal, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, and Rijan Dhakal all picked up two wickets each, while Sandeep Lamichhane claimed one.