Nepal seals dramatic last-ball victory over Scotland

KATHMANDU: Nepal resumed its ICC World Cricket League (WCL) 2 campaign with a thrilling last-ball victory over Scotland in Dundee on Monday night.

Batting first, Scotland posted a competitive total of 296 for 7 in its allotted 50 overs. In response, Nepal chased down the target off the very last ball, thanks to a match-winning unbeaten knock of 65 from just 41 balls by Karan KC.

This was Karan KC’s first-ever ODI half-century and marked Nepal’s highest successful run chase in ODI history. The match also delivered a dream start for new Head Coach Stuart Law in his debut game in charge.

Scotland controlled much of the first innings, with two batters notching half-centuries. Opener Charlie Tear anchored the innings with a fluent 80 off 72 balls, while Finlay McCreath added 55 from 67. Valuable contributions from captain Richie Berrington (40), Matthew Cross (39), Brandon McMullen (19), and Michael Leask (18) helped Scotland post a formidable total.

Rijan Dhakal, Karan KC and Sompal Kami each picked up two wickets for Nepal, while Sandeep Lamichhane took one.

Nepal began the chase strongly, with openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh putting on a 72-run partnership. Bhurtel made a quickfire 53 off 44 balls, while Aasif contributed 20 from 33. However, both fell in the span of four balls, putting pressure on the middle order.

Bhim Sharki (40) and captain Rohit Paudel (37) steadied the innings, but the quick dismissals of Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Sompal Kami left Nepal in trouble. Gulsan Jha (42) and Karan KC then combined to keep Nepal in the hunt.

Tension peaked when Jha was dismissed playing a rash shot in the 46th over. However, KC struck 18 runs off the 49th over, swinging momentum back in Nepal’s favor. In the final over, bowled by Mark Watt, Sandeep Lamichhane was dismissed off the first ball, leaving Nepal needing 7 runs with tailender Rijan Dhakal on strike.

A wide ball brought the target down to 6. Dhakal managed a crucial single off the third delivery to bring Karan KC back on strike. KC held his nerve and scored two runs each off the next two balls to level the scores.

On the final ball, KC ran for the single but Scotland appealed for a run-out against Dhakal. The hosts even celebrated Dhakal’s run-out. However, the field umpire ruled the delivery wide, giving Nepal a dramatic one-wicket win with one ball to spare.

Brandon McMullen claimed three wickets for Scotland, while Jack Jarvis and Michael Leask picked up two wickets each. Jasper Davidson and Mark Watt had a wicket each to their names.

Nepal will play its next game of the series against the Netherlands on Wednesday.