Scotland Holds Off Nepal by 2 Runs in Scotland Vs Nepal
Scotland Vs Nepal opened with the visitors holding a slim edge in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 race, but the numbers around this tri-series point to a far bigger stake than one match. The event began at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday, with Nepal scheduled for two ODIs each against Scotland and the United States.
Scotland sit second in the standings with 34 points from 28 games. Nepal are seventh among eight teams on 18 points from 24 matches, and the top four move directly to the World Cup Qualifiers while the teams lower down risk losing ODI status.
Kirtipur Opens the Tri-Series
Nepal’s home assignment is now down to its final series in this League 2 cycle. They won four of their eight matches across two home sets in 2024, after winning 10 of their 12 matches in Kathmandu during the previous 2019–2023 cycle.
That home record is part of why this series carries weight in Kirtipur. Nepal already beat Scotland in both League 2 fixtures in Kathmandu in 2023, and Scotland also lost both warm-up matches against Nepal A ahead of this round.
Berrington’s Dundee Chase
Richie Berrington remains the central batting figure in the recent Scotland-Nepal clash that set up this meeting. He made 102 in Scotland’s two-run win in Dundee, when Nepal were bowled out for 321 from the final delivery while chasing 324.
Michael Leask added 96 from 62 deliveries in that match, and Scotland have also beaten Nepal once each in Dallas and Dundee during the current League 2 campaign. Berrington’s century is the clearest reminder of how narrow the gap has been between the sides even when Scotland have found a way through.
Azhar Ali Joins the Tour
Scotland brought former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali in as a consultant for the tour. He played 97 Tests and 53 ODIs for Pakistan, scored more than 7,000 Test runs, and said, “I was excited to work with a talented Scotland side.”
Ali also faced Nepal during the Under-19 World Cup in 2002, adding another layer to a series built around familiar opponents and pressure points. Several Scotland players have recent Nepal Premier League experience as well, including George Munsey, Brandon McMullen and Mark Watt.
Watt turned that familiarity into one of the league’s sharpest local performances, scoring an unbeaten 114 from 44 balls for Karnali Yaks against Lumbini Lions. He reached his century in 41 deliveries, the fastest hundred in Nepal Premier League history, and Scotland now need wins against Nepal and the United States to move above the Americans at the top of the table.
