Scotland survive Gulshan scare to edge Nepal in thriller

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted May 12, 2026

Scotland handed Nepal their 15th defeat in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 to register their 15th win of the competition on Tuesday at the TU International Cricket Stadium.

With the victory, Scotland moved level on 36 points with table-toppers USA, who are also part of the ongoing leg.

Nepal fell short by just two runs on DLS after failing to reach the revised target of 221 in 39 overs. Earlier, Scotland had posted 243 for 8 after opting to bat first.

Scotland were cruising at 114 without loss in 20 overs, only the second century opening stand against Nepal in ODIs after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in the 2023 Asia Cup.

George Munsey smashed 75 off 62 balls with 12 boundaries and two sixes, while Finlay McCreath added a patient 35 off 62 deliveries with three fours.

Sandeep Lamichhane triggered the collapse by removing all of Scotland’s top four batters on his way to four wickets. Michael English (34 not out), Mark Watt (24) and Michael Leask (29) added useful runs later in the innings.

Nepal’s bowlers fought back strongly in the second half. Sandeep finished with 4 for 41 from his 10 overs, while Nandan Yadav bowled an impressive final over to return 2 for 33 from eight overs. Karan KC also picked up 2 for 51.

Captain Rohit Paudel used seven bowlers in total, with four going wicketless.

Rain delayed the start of Nepal’s chase, leaving them with a revised target of 221 from 39 overs.

Binod Bhandari (10) and Arjun Kumal (0) fell to Mark Watt inside the third over, reducing Nepal to 21 for 2. Aasif Sheikh struggled for his 21 before Dipendra Singh Airee continued his rich form with his fourth fifty in the last five ODIs.

Dipendra scored 55 off 49 balls with a six and five boundaries in a 76-run stand with Rohit Paudel, who made 32 off 46 balls.

Gulshan Jha then reignited the chase with an unbeaten 61 off 35 deliveries, striking five sixes and two boundaries. Needing 13 off the final over, Nepal managed only 10 against Brad Currie, falling agonisingly short by two runs.

Brad Currie was named Player of the Match for his 3 for 43 from eight overs. Mark Watt (2 for 37), Oliver Davidson (1 for 30) and Jack Jarvis (1 for 34) were the other wicket-takers.

Nepal will next face USA on Saturday, while Scotland take on USA on Thursday.