Karan KC stars as Nepal script record-breaking chase in Dundee

Nepal scripted history in Dundee on Monday, chasing down their highest-ever target in One Day Internationals to snatch a nerve-jangling one-wicket win over Scotland in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.

Set 297 for victory — a total they had never successfully chased before in ODIs — Nepal reached the target with just one ball to spare, driven by a heroic all-round performance from Karan KC, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 65 off 41 balls and two wickets earlier with the ball.

Nepal’s run chase began brightly after they were set in motion by openers Kushal Bhurtel and Asif Sheikh. The pair added 72 for the first wicket, giving the visitors a strong platform before the innings became increasingly chaotic. 

Bhurtel was the more aggressive of the two, striking 11 boundaries in his 53 off 44 deliveries, before an inswinger from Jack Jarvis breached his defences. Asif had earlier edged behind for 17, giving Scotland their first breakthrough.

The middle order offered promise, but couldn’t quite hold. Bhim Sharki (40) and captain Rohit Paudel (37) put on a composed 74-run partnership for the third wicket. But once Rohit was dismissed — caught at cover off a misjudged half-volley from Brandon McMullen — the innings wobbled. 

McMullen’s second spell proved decisive, as he dismissed Bhim Sharki and then Rohit Paudel in quick succession, triggering a collapse that saw Nepal slip from 152 for 2 to 192 for 7.

Nepal still needed 96 runs from the final 10 overs when Karan walked in. What followed was a display of composure and power hitting under pressure. He found a capable ally in Gulshan Jha, who smashed 42 off 30 balls, including three fours and three sixes, in an invaluable eighth-wicket stand worth 60 runs.

The match tilted again when Gulshan was caught by Jack Jarvis, but Karan stood tall. With 43 needed off the last four overs, he managed to find boundaries at crucial intervals. 

In the final over, bowled by Mark Watt, Nepal needed seven. Watt began with the wicket of Sandeep Lamichhane, but bowled two wides — one of them off the fifth ball — which helped Nepal cross the line with a ball remaining.

Karan finished unbeaten on 65 from 41 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes — his maiden ODI half-century coming in Nepal’s moment of greatest need.

For Scotland, Brandon McMullen was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 47 from his 10 overs, while Jack Jarvis and Michael Leask took two apiece. Mark Watt and Jasper Davidson chipped in with a wicket each.

Earlier, Scotland posted a competitive 296 for 7 after being sent in to bat. Charlie Tear led the scoring with a career-best 80 from 72 balls, striking 12 boundaries and a six. He was well supported by Finlay McCreath, who added 55 off 64 deliveries in the middle order.

Nepal bowlers leaked runs — including 19 extras — but managed to keep the total just under 300. Karan was again the standout, taking 2 for 43 in a tight spell. 

Sompal Kami and Rijan Dhakal bagged two wickets each. Rijan, however, had a day to forget, conceding 78 in his 10 overs including three front-foot no-balls, though he did dismiss the dangerous George Munsey. Sandeep Lamichhane added one wicket to his tally.

The win lifts Nepal to seventh in the League 2 standings, with three wins from 13 matches. They will look to build on this momentum when they face the Netherlands on Wednesday.