Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Scotland secured a narrow two-run (DLS method) victory over the US to record their second win in as many matches in the ICC World Cricket League (WCL) 2 tri-series at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Batting first, Scotland scored 321 for six in a match reduced to 47 overs due to a wet outfield. The US, who were given a revised target of 249 runs in 32 overs, were restricted to 246 for eight.
Scotland had also recorded a two-run (DLS method) win over Nepal in the opening match of the tri-series on Tuesday.
Although Scotland lost opener George Munsey (20) cheaply, Finlay McCreath (77) and Brandon McMullen (55) added 83 runs for the second wicket to steady the innings. Matthew Cross scored 58, Michael English made 32, and captain Richie Berrington chipped in with 10 before Mark Watt (25*) and Michael Leask (28*) punished US bowlers in the death overs.
Saurabh Netravalkar and Jasdeep Singh picked up two wickets each for the US, while Milind Kumar and Shubham Ranjane claimed one wicket apiece.
In reply, opener Smit Patel scored 72 off 56 balls, but fellow opener Shayan Jahangir (4) and No. 3 batter, captain Monank Patel (12), fell cheaply. Saiteja Mukkamalla scored an aggressive century, making 104 off just 75 balls to keep the US in the hunt. However, none of the remaining US batters, except Shubham Ranjane (16), managed to reach double figures.
Brad Currie, Brandon McMullen and Safyaan Sharif picked up two wickets each for Scotland, while Mark Watt and Oliver Davidson took one wicket each.
With the win, Scotland replaced US at the top of the WCL 2 table with 38 points from 30 matches. The US are second with 36 points from 25 matches. Nepal are seventh on the eight-team table with 18 points from 25 matches.
Nepal will take on the US in their second match of the tri-series on Saturday.
