In Monday’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 encounter in Dundee, Nepal shocked Scotland with an exciting one-wicket victory. The thrilling Nepali spectators in the stands, however, rushed onto the pitch to celebrate their team’s most successful ODI run chase ever, so the drama didn’t end with the winning run.
Nepal made the right call and chose to field first to start the game.
Charlie Tear’s 80 and Finlay McCreath‘s 55 helped Scotland reach 296/7 in the 50 overs they were given. Additionally, wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Cross (39) and captain Richie Berrington (40) contributed vital runs to raise the total above 290. With two wickets for forty-three in his ten overs, Karan KC was the best bowler for Nepal. Sandeep Lamichhane took one wicket, while Sompal Kami and Rijan Dhakal both contributed two wickets.
Nepal responded in a forceful manner. With the help of captain Rohit Paudel (37), and Bhim Sharki (40), opener Kushal Bhurtel hammered a 53 off 44 balls. However, Scotland’s Brandon McMullen, who claimed three wickets, set off a middle-order collapse that put Nepal in a vulnerable position.
As the crisis manager, Karan entered at No. 7 and stitched a crucial 60-run partnership with Gulsan Jha, who struck 42 off 30 balls. Karan played most of the deliveries and kept the scoreboard moving after Jha was removed in the 46th over.
In the end, five runs had to be scored off the last three balls. Two doubles were obtained by Karan prior to the penultimate delivery. Scotland’s left-arm spinner Mark Watt spun around the wicket, focussing on Karan’s pads with just one run needed from the last delivery.
But after a blunder, keeper Matthew Cross grabbed the delivery after it missed the batter’s flick attempt, shattering the stumps. Scotland rejoiced, thinking they had forced a Super Over and bowled Nepal out. However, Karan KC was already half-celebrating and raised his bat when the umpire pronounced it a wide. After then, supporters rushed onto the pitch, scaling fences, embracing players, hoisting Karan onto their shoulders and waving banners.
View the video below:
When hope was fading, Karan KC delivered! 🇳🇵🔥
A match-winning 65* off 41 balls (4 sixes, 3 fours) and 2 wickets — a true fighter’s performance. Led Nepal to a thrilling 1-wicket victory against Scotland.🔥
Take a bow, Karan ! 🫡🙌 pic.twitter.com/DGAOP9SDk2
— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) June 3, 2025
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