Nepal Stun Scotland in Last-Ball Thriller | CWCL2 2023-27.
Scotland vs. Nepal | Match Highlights | ICC Men's CWCL2 2023-27
Nepal Stun Scotland in a Final-Ball Thriller at Forthill. In a pulsating encounter at Forthill, Dundee, Nepal pulled off a sensational one-wicket victory against Scotland in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 (CWCL2) 2023-27, clinching the match on the final ball in a contest that will be remembered as one of the most dramatic in the tournament's history.
Chasing a formidable 297 set by Scotland, Nepal's last pair, led by an explosive unbeaten 65 from Karan KC, orchestrated a remarkable comeback, sparking wild celebrations among the passionate Nepalese supporters who invaded the pitch in jubilation.
Match Overview
Event: ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2, 2023-27
Teams: Scotland vs. Nepal
Venue: Forthill, Dundee
Result: Nepal won by 1 wicket
Scotland: 296-7 (50 overs) – Charlie Tear 80, Finlay McCreath 55; Rijan Dhakal 2-26
Nepal: 297-9 (49.5 overs) – Karan KC 65*, Khushal Bhurtel 53; Brandon McMullen 3-42
Scotland's Innings: A Solid Foundation
Scotland, opting to bat first after winning the toss, aimed to capitalize on the batting-friendly conditions at Forthill. The home side, sitting fourth in the CWCL2 standings, fielded a full-strength squad, keen to assert their dominance over a Nepal team ranked four places below them in the world ODI rankings. Openers Charlie Tear and Finlay McCreath set the tone with a confident start, blending caution with aggression to lay a robust platform.
Tear, the more assertive of the pair, anchored the innings with a well-crafted 80 runs off 92 balls, including nine fours and a six. His ability to rotate the strike and punish loose deliveries kept Scotland's scoreboard ticking. McCreath complemented Tear with a steady 55 off 78 balls, his innings laced with elegant cover drives and deft placements. Their 112-run opening stand provided Scotland with a strong foundation, though Nepal's bowlers fought back to prevent an all-out onslaught.
Nepal's bowling attack, led by left-arm spinner Rijan Dhakal, showed discipline in the middle overs. Dhakal was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 2-26 from his 10 overs, including the crucial wickets of Scotland's middle-order batsmen. His ability to vary pace and extract turn on a relatively flat pitch kept Scotland's scoring rate in check. Medium-pacer Sompal Kami also chipped in with a wicket, while Nepal's fielding was sharp, effecting a run-out that disrupted Scotland's momentum.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Scotland's middle order, including contributions from George Munsey (34) and Richie Berrington (42), ensured they maintained a healthy run rate. A late flourish from Brandon McMullen (28* off 18 balls) propelled Scotland to a competitive 296-7 in their allotted 50 overs. At the halfway mark, the hosts appeared confident, believing their total was well above par, especially given Nepal's recent loss to a second-string Scotland A side in a warm-up match just days earlier.
Nepal's Chase: A Tale of Resilience
Chasing 297 was always going to be a daunting task for Nepal, who were second-bottom in the CWCL2 table and had struggled for consistency in the tournament. However, opener Khushal Bhurtel gave the visitors a flying start, racing to 53 off 60 balls with a blend of attacking shots and calculated risks. His aggressive approach, particularly against Scotland's new-ball bowlers, set an optimistic tone for the chase.
Supported by Aasif Sheikh (40) and Anil Sah (33), Nepal reached 152-2 by the 30th over, well on course to challenge Scotland's total. Bhurtel's innings, which included seven fours, was a masterclass in controlled aggression, and his partnership with Sheikh laid a solid platform. However, Scotland's bowlers, led by the fiery Brandon McMullen, struck back with a devastating spell that turned the game on its head.
McMullen, finishing with 3-42, triggered a collapse by dismissing Bhurtel and Sheikh in quick succession. Nepal's middle order faltered under pressure, with wickets falling in clusters. From a comfortable 152-2, Nepal slumped to 192-7 in the 40th over, as Scotland's spinners, Mark Watt and Chris Greaves, tightened the screws with accurate bowling and clever variations. At this stage, Scotland seemed to have the match firmly in their grasp, with Nepal needing 105 runs from the last 10 overs with only three wickets in hand.
Karan KC's Heroics: The Game-Changer
Enter Karan KC, Nepal's all-rounder batting at number nine. With the odds stacked against them, Karan launched a breathtaking counterattack that will go down in CWCL2 folklore. His unbeaten 65 off just 41 balls was a masterclass in clean hitting, featuring four towering sixes and five fours. Karan's onslaught shifted the momentum decisively, as he took on Scotland's bowlers with fearless aggression.
The 49th over, bowled by Safyaan Sharif, proved to be a turning point. Karan plundered 18 runs off the over, including two sixes and a four, reducing the equation to 7 runs needed off the final over. Scotland entrusted the last over to their experienced left-arm spinner, Mark Watt, hoping his guile would see them through. However, what followed was a dramatic sequence that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Watt began the final over with a bang, inducing a false shot from Sandeep Lamichhane, who was caught by George Munsey at mid-off, leaving Nepal at 290-9. With last man Rijan Dhakal at the crease, Nepal needed 7 runs from 5 balls. Watt's first wide of the over gave Nepal a crucial extra run, and Dhakal managed a single to bring Karan back on strike. Needing 5 runs from the last three deliveries, Karan calmly struck two consecutive twos, displaying remarkable composure under pressure.
With one run needed off the final ball, Watt bowled a delivery down the leg side. The umpire signaled a wide, handing Nepal an extraordinary victory and sparking chaotic scenes as jubilant Nepalese fans stormed the pitch. Scotland's players protested, believing the ball may have brushed Karan's pad, but the umpire's decision stood, sealing Nepal's improbable triumph.
Key Performances
Charlie Tear (Scotland): His 80 off 92 balls provided Scotland with a solid start, setting the tone for their competitive total.
Finlay McCreath (Scotland): A composed 55 complemented Tear's aggression, ensuring Scotland maintained momentum in the early overs.
Brandon McMullen (Scotland): His 3-42, including key wickets in the middle overs, nearly swung the game in Scotland's favor.
Khushal Bhurtel (Nepal): His 53 off 60 balls gave Nepal a strong start, laying the foundation for the chase.
Karan KC (Nepal): The hero of the match, his unbeaten 65 off 41 balls, including four sixes, turned a near-certain defeat into a memorable victory.
Rijan Dhakal (Nepal): His economical 2-26 kept Scotland in check, and his single in the final over played a crucial role in the chase.
Tactical Analysis
Scotland's batting approach was well-executed, with Tear and McCreath exploiting the powerplay to set a strong platform. Their middle order, however, struggled against Nepal's spinners, particularly Dhakal, who bowled with exceptional control. Scotland's total of 296-7 was competitive but perhaps 20 runs short of what they could have achieved, given their strong start.
Nepal's chase was a tale of two halves. Bhurtel's aggressive intent kept them ahead of the required rate, but the middle-order collapse exposed their fragility under pressure. Karan's explosive knock, however, showcased Nepal's depth and resilience, proving that even their lower order could deliver in high-stakes situations. Scotland's decision to rely on spin in the death overs, while logical given Watt's experience, backfired due to the pressure of the situation and Karan's relentless hitting.
The Aftermath
The defeat was a bitter pill for Scotland, who had looked set to consolidate their position in the top half of the CWCL2 table. The loss highlighted their vulnerability in defending totals under pressure, particularly against lower-ranked teams with nothing to lose. For Nepal, the victory was a morale-boosting triumph, showcasing their potential to compete with higher-ranked sides. The passionate pitch invasion by Nepal fans underscored the growing popularity of cricket in the Himalayan nation and the emotional investment in their team's success.
What’s Next?
The ODI tri-series continues at Forthill, with Nepal taking on the Netherlands on Wednesday. Scotland will look to regroup and bounce back in their next fixture, aiming to address the lapses that cost them this game. For Nepal, the challenge will be to maintain the momentum from this thrilling win and build consistency in the highly competitive CWCL2.
The Scotland vs. Nepal clash at Forthill was a testament to the unpredictable nature of associate cricket, where passion, resilience, and individual brilliance can overturn the odds. Karan KC's heroics, supported by Bhurtel's foundation and Dhakal's composure, ensured Nepal etched their name in CWCL2 history with a victory that will be celebrated for years to come. For Scotland, the defeat serves as a reminder of the fine margins in international cricket, where a single ball can make all the difference.
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