KATHMANDU, Feb 21: Nepal defeated Scotland in the last match of ICC World Cup League-2 triangular ODI series on Tuesday to clean-sweep the series.
Captain Rohit Paudel played another excellent innings to give Nepal a crucial 2-wicket victory against Scotland. He shared a decisive partnership with Karan KC for the ninth wicket to rescue the team that was on the brink of defeat.
After winning the toss for the fourth consecutive time, Nepal chose fielding for the fourth time at the home turf in TU Cricket Ground. Excellent bowling by rape-accused Sandeep Lamichhane, who took four wickets, helped restrict Scotland to an average score of 212 runs.
However, Nepali batsmen struggled in the run chase compared to previous matches. As none of the batsmen could settle down for a respectable score, Nepal lost eight wickets for just 138 runs. Captain Paudel, with the help of KC, saved Nepal from a situation where defeat was certain.
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In a nail-biting thriller, Paudel’s half century was crucial to help Nepal defeat Scotland in the last match of ICC World Cup League-2 triangular ODI series at home turf with 35 balls remaining.
Captain Paudel (not out) completed his half-century in 55 balls with the help of 4 fours and 2 sixes and went on to make 95 runs off 101 balls as he fell short of a century by just 5 runs. This is Paudel’s fifth ODI’s half-century. He has scored 722 runs for Nepal.
Similarly, unbeaten Karan KC scored 31 runs in 37 balls.
Sandeep Lamichhane was dismissed for 9 runs off 13 balls. Similarly, Dipendra Singh Airee was dismissed after scoring 7 runs in 16 balls. Sompal Kami was dismissed after scoring 2 runs in 7 balls. Similarly, Sundeep Jora was dismissed for 1 run in 8 balls. Kushal Malla was dismissed for 17 runs off 28 balls.
Similarly, Kushal Bhurtel scored 1 run while Ashif Sheik scored 12 runs in 23 balls. Similarly, Gyanendra Malla was dismissed for 21 runs in 30 balls.
Earlier, Scotland, who lost the toss and were invited to bat first, scored 212 runs losing 10 wickets in 46.1 overs.
Scotland opener Kyle Coetzer was dismissed for 22 off 23 balls scoring 4 fours. Another opener George Munsey scored 60 runs off 50 balls with 9 fours and two sixes and was bowled out by Sandeep Lamichhane. Christopher McBride was out for an LBW off Kushal Malla for 22 runs with 1 boundary from 30 balls.
Captain Richie Berrington was sent back to the pavilion by Sandeep Lamichhane LBW on the first ball.
Matthew Cross, who scored 42 runs in 63 balls with the help of 4 fours and a six, was run out by Dipendra Singh Airee as Scotland lost wickets continuously. After Brandon McIntosh was dismissed for 31, Scotland's other batsmen failed to reach double-digit figures.
Sandeep Lamichhane took 4 wickets in his 10-over spell. Karan KC took three wickets in 8.1 overs while Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi and Kushal Malla took one wicket each.
