KATHMANDU, JUNE 21
Nepal suffered a 34-run defeat at the hands of Scotland in the final match of the Tri-Nation T20I Series, following a disappointing performance from the top-order batting lineup.
In the match held on Friday, Nepal fell short while chasing Scotland's imposing target of 194 runs, managing only 159 runs in 18.5 overs before being bowled out.
Rupesh Singh remained unbeaten with a valiant knock of 43 off 22 balls. Dipendra Singh Airee contributed 34 runs, while captain Rohit Paudel added 27.
For Scotland, Chris Greaves led the bowling attack with three wickets for 27 runs in his three overs. Safyaan Sharif picked up two wickets, while Mark Watt, Michael Leask, and Brandon McMullen claimed one wicket each.
Nepal got off to a shaky start, losing inform opener Kushal Bhurtel for just 4 runs in the very first over. Bhim Sharki (12), Aasif Sheikh (14), and Aarif Sheikh (5) also fell cheaply, leaving Nepal struggling at 43 for 4 inside the powerplay.
Though Dipendra Singh Airee and Rohit Paudel tried to steady the innings with a brief partnership, they couldn't sustain the momentum under pressure.
Earlier, powered by an aggressive half-century from George Munsey, Scotland posted a commanding total of 193 for 5 in 20 overs, setting Nepal a target of 194.
Opening batter George Munsey smashed 78 off 39 balls, hitting five fours and six sixes. Brandon McMullen added 42 runs, while Michael Leask remained unbeaten on 26, and Matthew Cross chipped in with 17 not out.
Later, George Munsey was adjudged man-of-the-match for his brillant innings of 78 runs.
Munsey and McMullen stitched together a 100-run stand for the second wicket, lifting Scotland from 34 for 1 to 134 for 2. Nepal made a brief comeback by taking three wickets within 11 runs, reducing Scotland to 145 for 5. However, a late unbeaten 48-run partnership between Leask and Cross propelled the hosts to a strong finish.
In Nepal's bowling department, Kushal Bhurtel impressed with two wickets for 20 runs in two overs. Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, and Rupesh Singh each claimed a wicket.
The host's 34-run win brought the curtains down on a series that also featured the Netherlands, with all three teams ending on two wins from four. Scotland, however, topped the table on superior net run-rate. Nepal finished second.
In the post-match presentation, Nepal's skipper Rohit Paudel said, "It has been a great series for us. Definitely, we would have liked to finish the series with a win, but it was not to be today."
Similarly, Scottish skipper Richie Berrington said, "It's been a great series for us in the lead-up to the qualifiers.
