Nepal vs Scotland: Scotland set a massive 324-run target for Nepal in their ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match held at Forthill Cricket Ground in Dundee. After winning the toss, the home team chose to bat first and posted 323 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 50 overs.
Captain Richie Berrington led the charge with a superb century, scoring 102 runs off 114 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes. He was run out by Gulshan Jha in the 48th over. Nepal had a promising start, taking two early wickets for just 25 runs in 5.4 overs. Karan KC dismissed George Munsey for a duck and removed Brandon McMullen for just 5 runs.
However, a crucial 94-run partnership between Berrington and Charlie Tear revived Scotland’s innings. Tear made 68 runs from 65 balls, hitting 9 boundaries before being dismissed by Lalit Rajbanshi in the 22nd over. Scotland then lost a couple of quick wickets—Finlay scored 17 runs before Dipendra Singh Airee dismissed him with a brilliant caught-and-bowled, and Matthew Cross was out for just 3 runs.
Scotland’s total was boosted by a game-changing 125-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Berrington and Michael Leask. Leask remained unbeaten on 96 runs off just 62 balls, smashing 12 fours and 3 sixes in his explosive innings.
Nepal’s bowlers started strong but struggled in the death overs, conceding 123 runs in the final 10 overs while taking only one wicket. Karan KC and Dipendra Singh Airee took 2 wickets each, and Lalit Rajbanshi claimed 1.
Earlier in the series, Nepal pulled off a thrilling 1-wicket victory over Scotland by chasing down 297 runs with one ball to spare. Karan KC played a match-winning knock in that game, scoring his maiden ODI half-century. Nepal also defeated the Netherlands by 5 wickets last week.
This match is the third outing for both Nepal and Scotland in the ongoing tri-nation ODI series. Scotland is aiming for a second consecutive win after beating the Netherlands on Friday. Nepal will face the Netherlands in their final match of the series on Tuesday.
In the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 standings, Scotland is in fourth place with 22 points from 18 matches, while Nepal sits in seventh place with 10 points from 14 matches. The top four teams in the eight-team League 2 will directly qualify for the 2027 World Cup Global Qualifier, while the bottom four teams will have to compete in the qualifier playoffs.
Following the conclusion of this ODI series, a T20I tri-nation series featuring Nepal, Scotland, and the Netherlands will begin on Sunday, June 15.
