Scotland stun Nepal with first win at TU Ground

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 13: Despite half‑century knocks from vice‑captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Gulshan Jha, Nepal suffered a narrow two‑run defeat to Scotland in their opening fixture of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 home tri‑series on Tuesday.

It was Scotland’s first victory over Nepal at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. With the win, Scotland drew level on points with table‑toppers the USA (36), who lead on net run rate. Nepal, meanwhile, remain seventh with 18 points from 25 matches, their 15th defeat leaving them unmoved in the standings. 

The Rhinos need at least eight wins from their remaining 12 fixtures to retain ODI status, and 10 victories to secure direct qualification for the ODI World Cup Qualifier. 

Winning the toss, Scotland posted 243 for eight in 50 overs. Rain interrupted Nepal’s chase, leaving them a revised target of 221 in 39 overs under the DLS method. 

Jha’s blistering 61 off 35 balls, with two fours and five sixes, kept Nepal in contention, but they finished on 218 for seven. Requiring 13 from the final over, Jha managed only 10 against Player of the Match Brad Currie, who bowled three dot balls and conceded just two runs apiece before Jha struck a last‑ball six.

Airee struck his eighth ODI half‑century (55 off 59 balls), while Paudel added 32. Nepal’s chase faltered after early losses, with Binod Bhandari (10) and Arjun Kumal (0) dismissed cheaply. Asif Sheikh managed 21 from 47 balls. 

Partnerships of 76 between Paudel and Airee, and 40 between Jha and Karan KC (18), kept hopes alive, but Nepal fell just short. Currie finished with 3 for 43, while Mark Watt claimed two wickets. Oliver Davidson and Jack Jarvis took one apiece.

Skipper Rohit Paudel admitted Nepal fell short with the ball in the powerplay. “We did not bowl to our expectations and in good areas. Credit must go to Munsey for the way he batted. We came back in the game but a few misfields gave away 20–25 extra runs. 

The 240 was still chaseable, but our top order did not click today. Losing three wickets including mine turned the momentum to Scotland’s side. Every match from here on counts.”

Earlier, Openers George Munsey (75 off 62, 12 fours, two sixes) and Finlay McCreath (35) added 114 for the first wicket to give a brilliant start to the visitors. 

Sandeep Lamichhane put Nepal back in the game by dismissing Munsey and McCreath in the 21st over, then bowling Brandon McMullen (7) and trapping captain Richie Berrington (5) LBW. Scotland slipped to 128 for four but recovered through Michael English (34*), Matthew Cross (18), Mark Watt (28) and Michael Leask (29).

Lamichhane starred with 4 for 41 from 10 overs, while KC took 2 for 51 and Nandan Yadav 2 for 33, including two wickets in the final over.

Nepal retained the XI that beat Oman last week: Paudel (capt), Bhandari, Asif Sheikh, Kumal, Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Jha, KC, Yadav, Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi. Ishan Pandey will wait for his ODI debut, while Sompal Kami, Bhim Sharki and Kushal Bhurtel were omitted.