Nepal clinched a nerve-wracking two-wicket victory over Scotland in a low-scoring thriller at Glasgow, with one ball to spare, in the T20I tri-series. The win was orchestrated by a stellar all-round performance from leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who not only claimed four wickets with the ball but also struck the winning run during Nepal’s tense chase of 98.
Just a day after a historic match against the Netherlands that required an unprecedented three Super Overs, Nepal once again found themselves in a dramatic contest. This time, however, they held their nerve in a traditional chase. After restricting Scotland to a modest 97 in 19.4 overs, Nepal’s batting faltered, but they eventually crossed the line in the final over.
Nepal’s Bowlers Shine in Early Breakthroughs
Nepal’s bowlers responded brilliantly after the heartbreak against the Dutch. Electing to bowl first, the Nepalese attack made early inroads into the Scottish line-up. The pace duo of Karan KC and Dipendra Singh Airee set the tone by removing Scotland’s top order quickly. Karan KC delivered a disciplined spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 20, while Airee applied pressure with his tight lines and lengths.
However, it was Sandeep Lamichhane who truly stole the spotlight. Introduced into the attack at a critical moment, Lamichhane spun a web around the Scottish middle and lower order. His figures of 4 for 11 in four overs included four of the last five wickets, breaking the backbone of the Scottish innings. He was unplayable at times, mixing flight, turn, and pace variations to dismantle the opposition.
Scotland’s total of 97 was their second-lowest T20I score at home. Their worst had come in 2018 when they were bundled out for 82 against Pakistan, also in Edinburgh. On Tuesday, apart from Michael Leask’s run-a-ball 46, no other batter could make a meaningful contribution. Captain Matthew Cross was the only other player to reach double digits, highlighting the dominance of Nepal’s bowlers.
Scotland’s innings ended in the 20th over when Dipendra Singh Airee clean bowled Leask, who had kept the innings afloat for a while with a few well-timed boundaries. Airee’s delivery that bowled Leask marked a fitting end to a disciplined bowling display from the Nepalese unit.
Nepal’s Chase Full of Twists
Chasing a small target of 98, Nepal were expected to ease to victory. However, what seemed like a straightforward chase quickly turned into a nail-biter. Nepal lost both openers, Lokesh Bam and Anil Sah, within the first four overs, putting early pressure on the batting unit. Captain Rohit Paudel followed soon after, bowled by Safyaan Sharif for 7, as Nepal stumbled to 38 for 3.
Kushal Bhurtel provided some stability with a composed 30 off 35 balls. He contributed the bulk of Nepal’s runs in the powerplay, helping them reach 31 by the end of six overs. However, his dismissal in the 13th over—trapped lbw by Mark Watt—sparked another mini-collapse. Airee and Basir Ahamad fell in quick succession, increasing the tension in the Nepal camp.
Rupesh Singh’s dismissal for 4 runs further deepened the crisis, with Nepal still requiring 10 runs off the last 12 deliveries. Kiran Thagunna tried to hold his nerve and rotate the strike, but his dismissal in the final over—after scoring 10 off 16 balls—left Nepal needing one run off two deliveries with two wickets in hand.
Enter Lamichhane, who had already done his job with the ball. Showing remarkable composure under pressure, he nudged the penultimate ball of the innings for a single to seal the win, ensuring his all-round performance didn’t go in vain.
A Much-Needed Win for Nepal
The win was crucial for Nepal, not just for points on the table but also as a morale booster after their grueling match against the Netherlands. It showcased the team’s resilience and ability to recover quickly from setbacks. For Scotland, it was their first defeat in the tri-series and a disappointing result, especially given the fighting spirit shown by their bowlers during Nepal’s chase.
Lamichhane’s match-winning figures of 4 for 11 and his cool-headedness with the bat were rightly celebrated as the key factors in Nepal’s victory. His performance underlined why he remains one of Nepal’s most valuable T20 assets.
With this win, Nepal continue to show promise in the shortest format, especially with their bowling attack. However, the batting unit will be under the spotlight in upcoming matches as they look to avoid similar collapses and deliver more convincing victories.
In a series already filled with excitement, Tuesday’s contest added another memorable chapter—one where Sandeep Lamichhane played the role of both destroyer and savior.
