Sports

Nepal face humiliating loss against Scotland

By HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

Photo Courtesy: CAN

KATHMANDU, JULY 17

Nepal faced an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Scotland in the One Day International match under the ICC Cricket World Cup League-II Tri-series at the Titwood Cricket Ground in Glasgow today.

Batting first, Nepal were bowled out for a paltry 128 runs in 35.5 overs before the home team raced to 130-2 with 186 runs to spare. Nepal had defeated Scotland by five wickets in their previous match of the series on July 12, while they lost both matches against Namibia.

Invited to take the first strike, Nepal made the horrible start losing opener Kushal Bhurtel (three) with just five runs on the board.

Nepali batters failed to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular interval before being folded for a paltry total. Another opener Aasif Sheikh top scored with 40 off 58 balls hitting six fours, while skipper Sandeep Lamichhane, who came in at No 10, was the next best scoring 27-ball 22 with the help of three boundaries.

Binod Bhandari (13), Dev Khanal (10) and vice-captain Rohit Paudel (10) contributed in double figures. Nepali batters' poor form continued as they lost first five wickets for 127 runs in 20 overs and the last five batters added 44 runs 15 overs. Hamza Tahir was the pick of the Scotland bowlers taking 4-26 and he was ably supported by Mark Watt (3-19). Gavin Main grabbed 2-44, while Christopher McBride pocketed one wicket.

In reply, player-of-the-match Calum MacLoed scored a brilliant half century to lead the home side to easy victory in just 19 overs.

MacLoed clobbered 10 boundaries and three sixes on his way to scoring 64 off just 29 balls. Opener Kyle Coetzer remained unbeaten on 52-ball 44 that included seven boundaries. MacLoed and Coetzer added 82 runs for the second wicket. Nepal skipper Lamichhane and Sompal Kami took one wicket each.

With the victory, Scotland accumulated 34 points from 24 matches and they are second behind Oman (44) in the seven-team table. The United Arab Emirates are third on 26 points, while the United States of America are at fourth place with 23 points. Namibia (18) and Nepal (17) are ahead of bottom-placed Papua New Guinea (two). After the League-II cycle, top three teams will earn berths in 50-over World Cup Qualifiers, while other three sides will go into playoffs.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 18, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.