Nepal edge Scotland by 2-wkt

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 19: After a dramatic triple-super-over loss to the Netherlands, Nepal bounced back in style, securing a tense two-wicket victory over hosts Scotland in their tri-series T20I encounter in Glasgow on Tuesday.

Nepal clinched their first win of the series by successfully chasing a modest 98-run target in the final over. 

At Clydesdale CC, Titwood, Nepal opted to bowl first and bowled Scotland out for a mere 97 in 19.4 overs, thanks to a brilliant four-wicket haul by leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane.

Despite a seemingly straightforward chase, Nepal encountered stiff resistance as they lost eight wickets before sealing the win with just one ball to spare. 

Nepal’s pursuit got off to a shaky start at 38-3. Opener Lokesh Bam departed for 9 in the third over, followed by Anil Sah, who fell for 3 in the fourth. Skipper Rohit Paudel managed just 7 before being bowled in the eighth over.

Opener Kushal Bhurtel anchored the innings with a crucial 30-run knock, striking four boundaries off 35 balls. However, his dismissal—leg before to Mark Watt in 12.1 over—left Nepal at 60-4.

In the 15th over, Dipendra Singh Airee edged a sharp delivery from Jasper Davidson to the wicketkeeper after contributing 14 runs. Two balls later, Basir Ahmed was dismissed for 13 as Michael Leask took a stunning return catch off his own bowling, reducing Nepal to 77-6.

Leask continued his impact, removing Rupesh Singh with another fine catch in the 18th over. Kiran Thagunna perished while attempting a big shot off Safyaan Sharif, falling for 10 off 16 deliveries.

With Nepal requiring one run from three balls, Thagunna attempted a six but was caught on the boundary. Karan KC remained unbeaten on 3, and Lamichhane sealed the win with a composed single off his first ball. For Scotland, Leask and Sharif claimed two wickets apiece, while McMullen, Jarvis, Watt, and Davidson picked up one each.

Nepal’s bowling attack got off to a fiery start, claiming five wickets inside the first five overs. Scotland’s standout performer, Michael Leask, kept his team’s hopes alive with a gritty 44 off 46 balls before falling to Dipendra Singh Airee in the final over.

Earlier, Dipendra struck in the very first over, dismissing left-handed opener Mark Watt. In the following over, George Munsey, who scored 8 off 5 balls, was caught by Dipendra off Karan KC’s delivery—marking Karan’s 100th T20I wicket.

Liam Naylor was run out for 1 after a sharp throw from Lokesh Bam, reducing Scotland to 10-3. Karan KC struck again in the fourth over to dismiss Finlay McCreath with a well-judged catch.

Lalit Rajbanshi chipped in during the fifth over, removing Brandon McMullen for 10, leaving Scotland in deep trouble at 24-5. Leask and skipper Matt Cross attempted to steady the innings with a 39-run stand before Lamichhane stepped in to dismantle the lower order.

In the 13th over, Lamichhane removed Cross for 15 and trapped Christopher McBride for a duck on the next ball. The leg-spinner continued his dominance, claiming his fourth wicket in the 17th over by dismissing Safyaan Sharif lbw with a deceptive googly. Two balls later, he bowled Jack Jarvis for a duck, leaving Scotland at 81-9. Lamichhane finishing with figures of 4-11, including a maiden over. Karan KC and Dipendra Airee grabbed two wickets each, while Lalit Rajbanshi contributed with one scalp.