Nepal secured a thrilling two-wicket win over Scotland on Tuesday in the T20 Tri-Nation Series match held in Glasgow. The visiting team chased down a target of 98 runs, reaching 100 for 8 in 19.5 overs.
The match was tight and exciting until the end. Nepal’s opener Kushal Bhurtel led the chase with a steady 30 runs. He built the base of the innings before falling in the middle overs. Dipendra Singh Airee added a vital 14 runs, while Basir Ahamad scored 13 and Kiran Thagunna chipped in with 10 runs. The rest of the batters failed to score in double digits, but Nepal held on.
Scotland had batted first in the third match of the series after being put in. They managed only 97 runs before getting bowled out. Nepal’s bowlers kept tight lines and didn’t allow the hosts to score freely. Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was the standout performer, taking 4 wickets for 18 runs in his four-over spell. His bowling included a maiden over and was key in stopping Scotland’s scoring momentum.
Karan KC also made a strong impact with the ball. He took 2 wickets and reached a milestone of 100 wickets in T20 Internationals. He now stands as the second Nepali player to achieve this, following Lamichhane. Airee supported well with 2 wickets, and Lalit Rajbansi took 1 wicket.
Scotland struggled with the bat. Only three players reached double digits. Michael Leask was the top scorer with 46 runs, offering resistance in the middle order. Captain Matthew Cross scored 15 before being bowled by Lamichhane. Brandon McMullen added 10 runs but couldn’t take the score much further.
Nepal’s fielding and bowling showed discipline. The bowlers stuck to their plans, forcing mistakes from the Scottish batters. Quick wickets in the middle overs shifted the pressure back onto the hosts. Lamichhane’s bowling earned him the title of ‘Player of the Match’.
Despite a small target, Nepal’s chase wasn’t easy. The team lost wickets at regular intervals, and the run rate remained under pressure. However, calm batting and useful partnerships helped them stay in the game. Bhurtel’s opening stand gave momentum, and late runs from the lower order ensured victory with just one ball left.
Nepal now gains valuable momentum in the T20 Tri-Nation Series with this win. The bowling unit continues to be the team’s strength, with Lamichhane and Karan KC in top form. This match also marks a memorable moment for Karan KC, who has become a key name in Nepal’s T20 cricket history.
With this win, Nepal shows strong promise heading into the next fixtures. The team’s ability to perform under pressure, especially while chasing, boosts confidence ahead of future matches.
Nepal’s cricket fans will celebrate this hard-fought win as the team continues to rise on the global T20 stage.
